Meindert Talma, Pieternel and Herman including songs and book excerpts

At the end of January 2025, Gezinsverbijstering (Family Bewilderment) was released — part three of Meindert Talma’s autobiographical book and music cycle Nederlands Onbekendste Popster (The Netherlands’ Most Unknown Pop Star).

The book is published by Uitgeverij Passage, while the LP and CD are released by Excelsior Recordings.

At Dorpskerk Huizum, Meindert Talma performs Gezinsverbijstering together with Herman Grimme (vocals and keyboards) and Pieternel Teekens (vocals).
Alongside songs and book excerpts from Gezinsverbijstering, the programme also includes songs from the previous parts Kelderkoorts and Je denkt dat het komt. Gezinsverbijstering received widespread acclaim in the press: “As witty as it is moving.” (…) “The stories are beautiful, the songs even better.” (de Volkskrant). At the end of December 2025, members of de Volkskrant’s music editorial team selected the 40 best albums of 2025 across various genres. Gezinsverbijstering earned an impressive 28th place.

“Talma is a master at creating characters in his songs, including himself.
Full of self-mockery, humour and tragedy, without sensationalism, and with admiration and wonder for what happens to him and the people around him, presented in a way that only he can.” (Trouw)

“Many tracks are poetic and light-footed; almost always moving, and often genuinely funny.” (NRC)

“It doesn’t happen often that you already know in January that you’re dealing with one of the best albums of the new year.” (Noordhollands Dagblad)

“Meindert Talma writes in an irresistibly engaging way — bone-dry and richly textured at the same time, in a wonderfully peculiar manner.” (Leeuwarder Courant / Dagblad van het Noorden)

For this concert, a grand piano is used: a Grotrian Steinweg, built in 1976. This piano has been kindly loaned by Museum Geelvinck