My work leads me to discovery and
re-discovery of some of the finest music around. An astonishing wealth of music is around us
and has been around us for Centuries.
For centuries very talented and
prolific musicians made and are making, writing and arranging music. Thanks to the internet we now have more
access to some of the music that is around.
I am in awe – totally.
When I first came to the US, I
thought I was pretty well versed in what music was around. Some music less known to me and other more -
nothing new there. Especially classical
music I felt I knew well. Music of all
music eras was taught at the conservatory and I had explored playing music from
the Baroque Era through the music that then was current or 20th
Century.
Folk music I was not as familiar
with; Russian and Eastern European music, Irish fiddling. Operette music and the beautiful operas I had
played and witnessed in the Amsterdam theaters.
Popular music…I am a great fan of French chansons and Dutch cabaret music. I even (haha) liked some Pop/Rock music, in
the first place the Beatles… Jazz…
What I just mentioned is a huge
variety of music and I didn’t mention all.
My mantra: there is good music and bad music. No matter what music. There is good and bad Hip Hop music, as far
as I am concerned. Though it is not
music I am foremost interested in. Of
course we have our favorites. I expanded
my horizon in the last two decades, here in America.
Great Americana music - I was
able to learn to play it and teach it, in my student practice and with my
student orchestra. I have learned to
make connections with this music and the Early European music. I have learned to enjoy the Blues and the
wonderful tension of the Blues note in the melody. I love it!
And now I am expanding
further. This year is particularly fun
as I am exploring the music of the 60s with my orchestra. I study the old tunes by the Beatles, Simon
and Garfunkel, the Stones and others, like Bob Dylan. And my eyes are opened for what I meet is
incredible rich, deep and complex music with an overtone of directness in their
melodies. Realizing I may start to sound
like a sommelier, discussing wines.
With my Baroque trio we have been
able to step away from the beaten path – Bach, Telemann, Vivaldi. We started to question: what Early Music was
around in Europe? We have started a
music series, virtually traveling in Europe, in the different countries. This year we are traveling down the rivers
Danube, Rhine and Elbe. And again I am
in awe! Thanks to the internet we have
found wonderful works by great musicians from the past. Nothing all that simple! Nothing all that stuffy! Our program now contains music by the Swiss
composer Senfl, by his teacher Isaac, by German – and famous – Hildegard von
Bingen (am Rhein) – by Hellendael and Wassenaar… and by the blind recorder
player, van Eyck. And while exploring we are treated to lifting
some of the veil over our musical past.
Our heritage of music that spread its wings all over the world, along
with all moving peoples.
I feel blessed to be in a
position to learn so much and to enjoy so much.
