related works
Concerto : per violoncello ed orchestra, 1988/1989 / Hans Henkemans
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Cello and orchestra
Scoring:
3333 4331 timp perc cel hp str vc-solo
Symfonietta : voor orkest, 1959 / Antoon Maessen
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Orchestra
Scoring:
2222 2220 timp perc str
Fragmenten : uit de opera "De zwarte bruid", op. 57a / Géza Frid
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Orchestra
Scoring:
3222 3220 timp perc hp str
Symphonie no 9 : per orchestra, opus 895, 1995 / Jan van Dijk
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Orchestra
Scoring:
3333 sax-a 4331 timp perc 2hp pf 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