related works

Reflexion pastorale : for mandoline ensemble / Bernard van Beurden

Genre: Orchestra
Subgenre: Mandolin orchestra
Scoring: 9man 3git db

Chorus Tragicus vrij naar “Hierusalem verwoest” : for mixed chorus, trumpets, saxotrombas and percussion / Sem Dresden; words by Joost van den Vondel

Genre: Vocal music
Subgenre: Mixed choir and instruments
Scoring: GK trp flhn perc

Domine Jesu ('Hearts to Heaven') : for mezzo-soprano, mixed choir, children’s choir and large ensemble / Nestor Taylor

Genre: Vocal music
Subgenre: Mixed choir and instruments
Scoring: SATB SSA m-sopr h hrp perc org str

Eli, Eli, lama azabthani : for 2 solo sopranos, chamber choir and string quintet / Gerard Beljon

Genre: Vocal music
Subgenre: Mixed choir and instruments
Scoring: 2sopr GK4 2vln vla vc db

composition

Je vous le donne : for chamber choir and cello solo / Bernard van Beurden; lyrics by Paul Verlaine

Other authors:
Verlaine, Paul (Text writer/Librettist)
Beurden, Bernard van (Composer)
Description:
SIX MEDIEVAL SONGS
The SIX MEDIEVAL SONGS are the songs of the troubadours, trouvères and Minnesänger: Poets and musicians who went through the courts and castles to recite poems and songs. I have arranged those poems and songs for chamber choir and cello solo.
Both the melody and the lyrics are very simple and beautiful.

JE VOUS LE DONNE
The text of JE VOUS LE DONNE (the title is taken from the last four words of the poem) is found in the bundle Sagesse by Paul Verlaine, who was born in Metz in 1844. Paul Verlaine had an extremely turbulent life, because of the many women and alcohol.
His alcoholism was the main cause of his tremendous aggressiveness. He even tried to assassinate his friend and poet Rimbaud.
In JE VOUS LE DONNE, it seems like the poet is reconnected with God, when he had calmed down somewhat, to thereafter continue with his turbulent life. Eventually he died in miserable conditions in 1896 in Paris.

TRAIT D'UNION
Because the choir wanted to perform  SIX MEDIEVAL SONGS and JE VOUS LE DONNE consecutively, I composed TRAIT D'UNION for violoncello solo, which connects the two compositions together.
TRAIT D'UNION begins immediately after the SIX MEDIEVAL SONGS and develops from the medieval notes to the contemporary notes of JE VOUS LE DONNE.

The three compositions (SIX CHANSONS, JE VOUS LE DONNE and TRAIT D'UNION) are separately available at Donemus.

Bernard van Beurden