related works
Genre:
Vocal music
Subgenre:
Mixed choir and instruments
Scoring:
2ob eh 2bsn 2tpt 2trb trb-b sopr sopr-m perc SATB
San-Yüeh : for orchestra, opus 26, 1985, rev. 1988 / Leo Samama
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Orchestra
Scoring:
2222 4231 5perc 2hp str
Epitaaf : (2008) / Maarten van Norden
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Orchestra
Scoring:
2fl ob ob(eh) 2cl 2fg 4h 2trp 2trb tb timp perc str
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Orchestra
Scoring:
2222 4231 timp perc hp str
composition
Le café de nuit : for orchestra / Jan-Peter de Graaff
Other authors:
Graaff, Jan-Peter de
(Composer)
Description:
"Le café de nuit" is a 13-minute fantasia/nocturne for orchestra, based on the painting (with the same name) by Vincent van Gogh, and the letters he wrote to this brother Theo during his stay in Arles, where he rented a studio above the café. In the letters, he describes this place as "a place where you can ruin yourself, go mad, commit crimes". This subject really interested me as a composer as there is really a conflict within the concept of a café. Usually, one goes to a café to escape the ongoing world and everyday problems, to dance, to celebrate life and to drink and go drunk to immerse oneself in a different reality. However, there is a danger, as van Gogh states, as the café also influences the world outside. It is a place where the darkest side of human behaviour emerges. In the piece I tried to find this strange balance between joy and danger, between alertness (or even panic) and being drunk, between passion and truth.
Jan-Peter de Graaff