related works
Split country : for violin, bass clarinet and tape, 1992 / Gerda Geertens
Genre:
Chamber music
Subgenre:
Wind and string instrument(s); Electronics with different instruments; Wind and string instrument(s) with multimedia
Scoring:
vl cl-b tape
Danssuite : uit de toneelmuziek bij "Krûstocht" (J.E. Tuininga), (1948) / Jaap Geraedts
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Orchestra
Scoring:
2221 2200 timp perc pf str
Symphonie no. 6 : opus 45, 1960-'61 / Léon Orthel
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Orchestra
Scoring:
3332 4331 timp perc cel hp str
Orkeststuk : (1984) / Tom Riedstra
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Orchestra
Scoring:
3333 4331 3perc pf str(10.10.8.6.4.)
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