composer
Rieteke Hölscher (1969) studied piano classical music and jazz / pop at the conservatory of the Amsterdamse Hogeschool voor de Kunsten (1987-1992) with Frans van Dalen and Tine Schneider, also ...
related works
Genre:
Vocal music
Subgenre:
Mixed choir
Scoring:
GK
het kastanjespel : Version for contrabassoon and piano / Max Knigge
Genre:
Chamber music
Subgenre:
Bassoon and keyboard instrument
Scoring:
cfg pf
Sérénade au bord de la Rivière : voor fagot & piano, 2004 / Kees Olthuis
Genre:
Chamber music
Subgenre:
Bassoon and keyboard instrument
Scoring:
fg pf
Cavatine : per fagotte (o violoncello) e pianoforte, 1942 / Reine Colaço Osorio-Swaab
Genre:
Chamber music
Subgenre:
Bassoon and keyboard instrument; Cello and keyboard instrument
Scoring:
fg/vc pf
composition
Zuurstof (Oxygen): Level D : for bassoon and piano / Rieteke Hölscher
Description:
When I was asked to write a mandatory competition work for a bassoon festival with the theme 'sustainability', I almost immediately thought of 'oxygen'. After all, what is more sustainable than oxygen? In the Cambridge Dictionary you can read: "Oxygen [O]: a chemical element that is a gas with no smell or colour. Oxygen forms a large part of the air on earth, and is needed by animals and plants to live". This definition shows that it is essential for all life on earth. In addition, enough oxygen is required for the performers (especially the bassoonist) to play this piece.
The most relevant meaning of sustainability in this context is 'something that will last'. A good example of an infinite life cycle is photosynthesis, in particular the exchange of oxygen between humans and plants.
The music is written in an ABA form, with the Senza Misura part referring to the inhalation, returning after a faster, more rhythmic part (the exhalation), as a symbol of such a sustainable life cycle.
Rieteke Hölscher