Maarten Ornstein & Mike Fentross first performed together in 2013 during a concert at Paradiso Amsterdam, where they played Purcell’s Music for a while. The unconventional yet outstanding sound of their instruments immediately captured the attention of both the audience and the musicians. Soon after, they decided to collaborate again. For their next performance, Mike Fentross not only brought a stack of music to try but also his vihuela, feeling that this almost-forgotten Spanish lute would beautifully contrast with the bass clarinet. More concerts followed, and the repertoire steadily grew, adding a wide range of music. Compositions from 17th-century Dutch poet, diplomat, and musician Constantijn Huygens, renowned Egyptian composer Sayed Darwish, Swedish folk musician Mikae Marin, among others, became part of their ever-expanding collection. The magical work Spiegel im Spiegel by Arvo Pärt illustrates the duo’s openness to exploring all kinds of music, disregarding style or instrumentation boundaries.

As the great Duke Ellington once said, “If it sounds good, it is good,” which means there is no right or wrong in music. There is only its beauty to enjoy and each person's individual experience while listening, which serves as a source of inspiration. For this duo, its beauty is an experience in itself.