Monthly Archives: September 2019

‘I hope we will glide into another world together’ – Calliope Tsoupaki composes Bosch Requiem ‘Liknon’ for November Music

Posted on September 26, 2019 by Thea Derks

In 1988 Calliope Tsoupaki (1963) came from Greece to the Netherlands to study composition with Louis Andriessen. Exactly 30 years later she was appointed ‘Componist des Vaderlands’ (Composer Laureate). In this capacity she has already composed a number of highly … Continue reading →

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Hanns Eisler: life-long struggle against oppression. Two-day symposium in Amsterdam and Hilversum

Posted on September 18, 2019 by Thea Derks

Who was Hanns  Eisler? He may be a celebrity in Germany and Austria, but in the Netherlands his music is seldom heard. Nevertheless, his work is still highly topical. Throughout his life he fought against oppression, just as today people … Continue reading →

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Clara Schumann: after 200 years still overshadowed by Robert

Posted on September 13, 2019 by Thea Derks

Two hundred years ago, on 13 September 1819, Clara Schumann was born in Leipzig, as Clara Wieck. She ranks as one of the greatest pianists of the nineteenth century. Against her father’s will she married Robert Schumann, whose work she … Continue reading →

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Whoever said modern music is humourless and cerebral? Kelley Sheehan wins Gaudeamus Award 2019

Posted on September 10, 2019 by Thea Derks

For a moment the envelope doesn’t seem to open, but then Ingrid van Engelshoven conjures up the redeeming piece of paper. ‘The winner of the Gaudeamus Award 2019 is Kelley Sheehan!’ The small American composer is visibly surprised, she hasn’t … Continue reading →

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Gaudeamus nominee Remy Siu: ‘I got fed up with the notion of being a composer’

Posted on September 5, 2019 by Thea Derks

On Wednesday 4 September the 69th Gaudeamus Music Week kicked off with W.A.L.L. that Aart Strootman composed for a self-designed 60-tone marimba, four percussionists and four guitarists. – He won the Gaudeamus Award in 2017. Before its première I moderated … Continue reading →

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Gaudeamus nominee Scott Rubin: ‘All performance is to an extent composition’

Posted on September 4, 2019 by Thea Derks

Scott Rubin (1989) is one of the five nominees for the Gaudeamus Music Award 2019. The prize is intended for composers under 30, but the Chicago based Rubin defies a strict interpretation of the concept of  composer. – Or of … Continue reading →

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Gaudeamus nominee Stefan Maier: ‘I embrace the unpredictability of sound’

Posted on September 1, 2019 by Thea Derks

For its 69th edition Gaudeamus Music Week again nominated five composers under 30 for its coveted Award. Some 300 scores were submitted by 95 composers from 29 different countries. The jury (Gerhard Stäbler, Yannis Kyriakides and Clara Ianotta) selected Nicholas … Continue reading →

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