The unique 9-piece song cycle Neun Deutsche Arien of Händel, complemented by new compositions by house composer Wim Henderickx: an ode to nature!
Since the consequences of climate change are hitting ever closer to home, there is a growing clamour for action. We look back at perceptions of nature in the time of baroque composer Händel (1685-1759). In his song cycle Neun Deutsche Arien set to a German text by Brockes (1680- 1747), praise for nature and eternal life form the common thread. Thanks to their captivating poetry, original instrumentation and varied moods, these songs are unique exceptions in Händel’s oeuvre. Today, Wim Henderickx complements them with equally unique new compositions. These interludes, together with the video images, paint a less idyllic world today than that of Brockes and Händel
“B’Rock plays Handel’s diverse music with verve. With their perky rhythms and beautiful solos from instruments such as traverso, bassoon and theorbo, they perfectly support the equally accomplished singing of Eerens, whose voice remains warm and appealing even in the highest registers. The many imitations with which the musicians add additional lustre to her part are also beautiful. The four new pieces that the Flemish composer Wim Henderickx composed especially for this programme are a pleasant contrast.”
Thea Derks - Theaterkrant NL - 14 March 2021
“'Songs of Nature', a production of Muziektheater Transparant, is an absolute must ... Soprano Ilse Eerens works enthusiastically and with full dedication through the song cycle 'Neun Deutsche Arien' of the German composer Georg Friedrich Händel (1685-1759). The songs are complemented with four new instrumental compositions by Wim Hendererickx.”
koen Van Boxem - De Tijd - 11 maart 2021
“What an imaginative, multilayered musical and theatrical night, achieved with subtlety and superb simplicity ... brilliant show!”
Tan Dun (China)
Credits
- Composition • Georg Friedrich Händel / Wim Henderickx
- Direction • Shuang Zou
- Associate Director • Maria Lamont
- Scenography • Dan Potra
- Video Design • Marco Devetak
- Light design • Peter Quasters
- Sound design • Pieter-Jan Buelens
- Costumes • Lieve Pynoo
- Soprano • Ilse Eerens / Jingjing Li (CN)
- Ensemble • B'Rock Orchestra
- Violin • Evgeny Sviridov
- Viola • Raquel Massadas
- violone • Tom Devaere
- Bassoon • Tomasz Wesolowski
- archlute • Karl Nyhlin
- Traverso • Tami Krausz
- Ensemble in China • The Shanghai Camerata o.l.v Song Gao
| Location | Dates | Hour | |
|---|---|---|---|
| De Bijloke Muziekcentrum (Gent) +32 9 233 68 78 www.debijloke.be Show on map | 24/5/2022 | 20:00 | |
| O. (Rotterdam) + 31 1 436 60 70 https://o-festival.nl/ Show on map | 26/5/2022 | 20:45 |