Tag Archives: Reinbert de Leeuw

Le grand macabre György Ligeti: Surprisingly topical opera about the end of time

Posted on November 20, 2021 by Thea Derks

In Le Grand Macabre, the only opera György Ligeti ever composed, the protagonist Nekrotzar announces the end of time, but at the moment supreme he is the only one who perishes. The absurdist work was staged in this country in … Continue reading →

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Robert Adlington on Reinbert de Leeuw: ‘His “canon” was quite unlike anyone else’s’

Posted on February 22, 2020 by Thea Derks

Reinbert de Leeuw died on 14 February 2020, and was buried in Amsterdam exactly a week later, after a worthy tribute in  Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ. He had chosen the music for his farewell himself, with Asko|Schönberg performing Berceuse élégiaque … Continue reading →

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Reinbert is dead, long live Reinbert!

Posted on February 15, 2020 by Thea Derks

‘I get up with you and go to bed with you’, I said jokingly. We were standing in his kitchen, where he was making coffee for himself and a cup of tea for me. Reinbert’s big frightened eyes told me … Continue reading →

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Ligeti festival – ode to an adventurous and idiosyncratic composer

Posted on April 1, 2018 by Thea Derks

The Hungarian composer György Ligeti (1923-2006) suffered under several dictatorships. The Nazis killed his father and brother during World War II, and after the war the communists forced him to write bland ‘folk music’. After the Hungarian uprising of 1956 … Continue reading →

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#Grammy for Barbara Hannigan & Ludwig Orchestra

Posted on January 29, 2018 by Thea Derks

Expectations were high. Both Reinbert de Leeuw and Barbara Hannigan were nominated for a Grammy Award 2018. Hannigan competed for Best Classical Solo Vocal Album, with the CD Crazy Girl Crazy, featuring music by Berg, Gershwin & Berio. De Leeuw was … Continue reading →

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Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ: Revolution, Russians, Reinbert

Posted on October 18, 2017 by Thea Derks

During the Holland Festival of 1989 Reinbert de Leeuw was so captured by the music of Galina Oestvolskaja and Sofia Gubaidulina that from then on he developed into of their most tireless advocates. That the Soviet Union would collapse not long … Continue reading →

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Cd-box Kurtág: already historic

Posted on July 8, 2017 by Thea Derks

The three-piece CD box with choir and ensemble works by György Kurtág is overwhelming. His soul-piercing sounds are sublimely interpreted by Reinbert de Leeuw et al. Also, the recording is impeccable. This box is already historic, a monument to the … Continue reading →

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Reinbert de Leeuw en Via crucis van Liszt: een levenslange fascinatie

Posted on March 14, 2017 by Thea Derks

In 1986 won hij een Edison voor zijn opname van Via crucis met het Nederlands Kamerkoor, gedirigeerd vanaf de piano. In 2013 zette hij de versie voor piano solo op cd, die eveneens bekroond werd met een Edison. Deze maand … Continue reading →

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Misha Mengelberg: engelengeduld en sardonische humor

Posted on March 7, 2017 by Thea Derks

Er zijn mensen met wie je je leven lang een innige band koestert, ook al spreek je ze zelden. Zo iemand was voor mij componist, pianist en improvisator Misha Mengelberg (1935-2017), die afgelopen vrijdag 3 maart overleed. Hij leed al … Continue reading →

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Wie zijn wij? NJO Muziekzomer presenteert opera’s over identiteit

Posted on August 10, 2016 by Thea Derks

Het was een maandje rustig aan mijn blogfront, vanwege een heerlijke vakantie in Frankrijk. Helemaal stil zat ik overigens niet, want op woensdag 6 juli presenteerde ik mijn programma Panorama de Leeuw op de Concertzender. – Vantevoren opgenomen, dat wel. In deze aflevering belichtte … Continue reading →

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