Tag Archives: Arvo Pärt

Amstel Quartet: CD portrait of Georgs Pelēcis

Posted on December 8, 2021 by Thea Derks

‘All of my creative inspiration comes from music, from euphony that acts as an ideal reflection or embodiment of a homeland. Aspiring for this ideal is the most important theme in my work.’ This is the motto of the Latvian … Continue reading →

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Anájikon Konstantia Gourzi – music in which the sun always shines

Posted on November 9, 2021 by Thea Derks

In 1984, the German label ECM initiated its NEW SERIES to promote the ‘neo-spiritual’ music of such greats as Arvo Pärt & Giya Kancheli. Their style was considered kitschy at the time, but later they grew into highly lauded composers. … Continue reading →

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Italian pianist strikes Ukrainian stillness at heart

Posted on August 2, 2021 by Thea Derks

An Italian label promoting piano music of a Ukrainian composer, it does not seem the most likely combination. Yet earlier this year, the CD Handsome Skies featuring piano works by Valentin Silvestrov (1937) arrived on my doorstep, sent from Rome … Continue reading →

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The music of Arvo Pärt: from fierce dissonance to euphonious bell sounds

Posted on December 16, 2020 by Thea Derks

Which titles spring to mind on hearing the name of Arvo Pärt? Sonatina opus 1; Symphony no. 1; Perpetuum mobile, or Fratres; Für Alina; Spiegel im Spiegel? My guess is the second series, for in the nineties Pärt conquered the … Continue reading →

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Help de os aan een dak: crowdfunding introductie op moderne muziek

Posted on June 8, 2018 by Thea Derks

Beste lezer. Ik voltooide onlangs Een os op het dak: moderne muziek na 1900 in vogelvlucht. Het is een beknopte inleiding op moderne muziek van na 1900 en zo goed als af. Enkel nog wat laatste puntjes op de i … Continue reading →

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Cappella Amsterdam presents Baltic Souls: Estonia 100 years independent/non-independent

Posted on February 26, 2018 by Thea Derks

Although Estonia is nearly 4000 square kilometres larger than the Netherlands, it has barely more inhabitants than the province of Utrecht. For centuries, powers such as Denmark, Germany, Russia, Sweden and Poland disputed the rule of this country on the … Continue reading →

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Peter Dijkstra: ‘Glass was as groundbreaking as Harnoncourt’

Posted on January 25, 2017 by Thea Derks

Philip Glass (1937) is popular around the world and has a big following in the Netherlands, too. His 80th birthday is celebrated by many organisations and ensembles. Last week the Noord Nederlands Orkest dedicated two very successful concerts to his … Continue reading →

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Late Liszt in Panorama de Leeuw XIV

Posted on December 4, 2015 by Thea Derks

Woensdag 2 december vulde ik het hele uur van Panorama de Leeuw op de Concertzender met late muziek van Franz Liszt. Na een carrière als pianistisch duivelskunstenaar nam hij de lage katholieke wijdingen aan en ging hij niet alleen ascetischer leven, maar ook … Continue reading →

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Erik Satie in Panorama de Leeuw XIII

Posted on November 5, 2015 by Thea Derks

Hoe ontstond de Satie-rage in de jaren zestig? Die vraag beantwoordde ik gisteren in de dertiende aflevering van Panorama de Leeuw, gebaseerd op mijn biografie Reinbert de Leeuw, mens of melodie. Ik schreef er bovendien over voor Cultuurpers. Een belangrijk … Continue reading →

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Spirituele muziek

Posted on March 4, 2013 by Thea Derks

Amsterdam 4-3-2013 – Van januari tot en met mei verzorg ik een vijfdelige cursus over hedendaagse muziek in het Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ, telkens gekoppeld aan een concert in de Grote Zaal. De serie startte op vrijdag 11 januari met Franse … Continue reading →

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