Waan

A composition written in 2019 for Fanfare Eensgezindheid Maasbracht-Beek.

The composition Waan is based on an experience of the composer himself. The piece describes a walk in the middle of the night in which undertones of restlessness and fear can be felt continuously. The piece starts on with the awakening, with the piece getting slowly underway. The atmospheric impressions of the night by the yellow light of the moon are bundled together into a powerful theme. This theme is then knocked down by a cutthroat pace as the journey through the night begins. The horrors of the darkness can be heard through the swelling chords in the muted trumpets. The interlude, almost a nocturne, depicts the clear night. This calm theme is also immediately interrupted by a fast agitato. The piece ends with a climbing gesture that is abruptly interrupted.

Groen trollenland

A composition written in 2019 for The Big Arranging Competition of the Ricciotti Ensemble in Amsterdam.

The composition contest from Ricciotti Ensembele was a really good opportunity to write for a symphony orchestra consisting of young players. The task was to arrange a Dutch children’s song into a develish version. It may sound simple, but I can tell you that it was complicated! Well, the idea came to me very quickly.

In my opinion ‘In Een Groen Knollenland’ is the most interesting Dutch children’s tune there is. My version was called ‘Groen Trollenland’ (Land of the Green Trolls)  and that’s with a reason. In a cunning way I have unveiled the childishness of the theme and given it my own devilish twist. A Shostakovich quote should of course not be missing.

Dageraad

A composition written in 2019 for The NEUE (New European Ensemble) based in The Netherlands.

Dageraad is about the moment before the dawn. In these first hours of the day, the piece takes place on a remote meadow that has become invisible due to thick patches of fog. A group of walkers have lost their way and are frightened by this dense fog that is blocking their view. They try to find a way out of the fog but cannot. After wandering for a long time in the vast landscape, they suddenly come to a clearing spot where the fog has opened up. They dance a dance of joy: at last, they can see again.

Saxophone Quartet No. 1: “Shimmering Cascades”

A composition written in 2022 for an ensemble from the Fontys Academy of Music and Performing Arts

Lament for Ukraine

A composition written for and performed by the choir of study association Hucbald, during the 12th edition of the Remembrance concert on the 4th of May, 2023.