related works
Concerto : per flauto ed orchestra, 1945-'46 / Hans Henkemans
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Flute and orchestra
Scoring:
3333 4331 timp perc cel hp str fl-solo
De zang van Aquarius : voor orkest / Karel Goeyvaerts
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Orchestra
Divertimento : orchestra [e] pianoforte, 1974 / Oscar van Hemel
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Orchestra
Scoring:
3333 4331 timp perc hp pf str
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Orchestra
Scoring:
3333 4331 timp 5perc hp str
composition
Barcarola fantastica : per orchestra, 1962 / Hans Henkemans
Other authors:
Henkemans, Hans
(Composer)
Description:
Program note (English): The Barcarola Fantastica was the result of a commission received on the occasion of the centenary of the Northern Philharmonic Orchestra, Groningen, The Netherlands.
The composition has been scored for normal large orchestra, to wich has been added an alto-flute as only unusual instrument. On the steady rhythms of 6/8 and 9/8 beats -the rhythms of the Barcarola, the Venetian gondola-song- the composition develops as a fantasia on the two principal motives of themes, the first of which is heard, after some introductory bars, in the flute and alto-flute; the second, immediately following upon the first, is played unisono by 'cellos and bass-clarinet.
It is in no way important to try and follow the formal and technical developments in order to appreciate the composition. A thorough-going elucidation would, therefore, seem redundant.
The only aspect of the structure, worth mentioning, is perhaps the relation between the rhythm pattern and the "undulating" course of the dynamics: the composition might, without much effort, be subdivided into five dynamic episodes, of which the the second and fourth are "summits", while the first, third and fifth proceed in a sound-volume not exceeding mezzo-piano.
All other, more artistic observations, are left to the listener, guided by his own fantasy and intuition. - HANS HENKEMANS