related works
Amarillis : voor 4 bamboefluiten (of 4 blokfluiten), 1985 / Gerda Geertens
Genre:
Chamber music
Subgenre:
Bamboo flute; Recorder
Scoring:
4bamboofl/4rec
Symfonie no. 2 : 1932 / Henk Badings
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Orchestra
Scoring:
3333 4331 timp perc str
Symphony No 1 (...e poi c’era…) : Symphony Nº 1 / Luc Brewaeys
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Orchestra
Scoring:
3fl 3ob 3cl 3fg 4h 3trp 3trb tb 4perc hp pf perc
Cavalcade : ouverture en rondeau, pour grand orchestre, 1963 / Robert Heppener
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Orchestra
Scoring:
4333 sax-a 4431 5perc hp pf str
composition
Heartland : for orchestra, 1994 / Gerda Geertens
Other authors:
Geertens, Gerda
(Composer)
Description:
Program note (English): [Première: 20-05-1995 - Beurs van Berlage, Amsterdam - Nederlands Ballet Orchestra, conducting, Lucas Vis] -
Heartland is the first piece I wrote for symphony orchestra. Since this instrumentation is such a rewarding medium for the sort of music I want to compose, I have consciously tried to use those elements of my musical thoughts which are the most substantial characteristics of the musical language I have developed over time. I continuously search for resources in music, not only in the first place to experience a musical event developing in time, but to also be able experience the presence of sound in a spatial context. The necessary musical changes in time is the realization of the musical form, and would then be no more than alterations of light in a space creating an atmosphere. A means of suggesting such a sound space is the placement of extremities of the various instruments' tonal pitch next to each other. In Heartland the music starts with the lowest instruments in the orchestra. The range spreads slowly in consistency extending to the number of instruments playing a specific
role. Suddenly this changes halfway through the work into a very high-pitched airy music initiated by the percussion. The percussion's important role throughout the piece reveals an earthiness of the rhythmic instruments; something I associate with a landscape. A landscape which hopefully reflects the essence of my ideas. My own Heartland. - GERDA GEERTENS