composer
Joey Roukens (b. 1982) is an Amsterdam-based composer of contemporary classical music. He studied classical composition at Codarts University of the Arts and psychology at Leiden University. Since graduating in ...
related works
Zwei Heine Lieder : for alto or mezzo-soprano and piano / Gustav Mahler; realised by Joey Roukens
Genre:
Vocal music
Subgenre:
Voice and piano
Scoring:
zang pf
Brave cactus hits the road : for ensemble / Giel Vleggaar, 2003
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Large ensemble (12 or more players)
Scoring:
fl 3sax h 3trp 2trb trb-b pf cb
Excavation : voor 12 instrumenten, 1992 / Paul Bruinen
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Large ensemble (12 or more players)
Scoring:
1101 sax-a 0220 2vl vla vc
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Large ensemble (12 or more players)
Scoring:
fl(pic) eh cl cl-b fg h trp trb perc pf 2vl vla vc cb
composition
Scenes from an old memory box : for 19 players / Joey Roukens, 2010
Contains:
Delen: 1. At Muller's bar & dance hall
2. In a sunday morning haze
3. Mad carousel
Description:
Sometimes one finds such an old box at a flea market or in a dusty corner in the attic full of memories of bygone times in the form of letters, photos, postcards, etc. 'Scenes from an old memory box' is a kind of chamber concerto for ensemble in three parts, which evoke associations with (imaginary) scenes and memories that one could find in such a box.
Part I, At Muller's Bar & Dance Hall, evokes the exuberant atmosphere of a busy establishment where people drink, gamble and dance enthusiastically. The kind of café that was fashionable in the first half of the 20th century, with a pianola that jingles happily and a stage for dance orchestras and variety shows.
In part II, In a Sunday Morning Haze, the atmosphere of a misty Sunday morning prevails. The bells of the village church can be heard through the fog, as well as a lonely, contemplative flute melody. Suddenly a fragment of a popular song sounds out of a window, after which the music becomes even more sultry and heads for a climax full of heavy piano clusters.
In part III, Mad Carousel, the energy of part I returns in a kind of hyperactive merry-go-round, with crazy carnival music and barrel organ sounds, but also with references to the 'banal' dance booms that dominate the fair nowadays.
However, the music should not be interpreted programmatically, and certainly not as a naive pictorial rendition of nostalgic pictures: the titles and descriptions above are only associations that I myself had when writing this music, but each listener should make his or her own make your own associations with this music.