live 2006, Concertgebouw Amsterdam , Recital Hall

#9: Amstel Quartet & Una Cintina

Steve Martland - Starry Night (excerpt)

8. Finale, a part from a concerto for saxophones: Concertare, by Luc Houtkamp

Amstel Quartet + David Kweksilber

David Kweksilber (sopranino sax), Remco Jak (soprano sax), Olivier Sliepen (alto sax), Bas Apswoude (tenor sax) and Ties Mellema (baritone sax).

Toonzaal, Den Bosch, 15 May 2014.



8. Finale, from Concertare, by Luc Houtkamp

This piece is a large work in two clear sections; the first section is fast and energetic, the second much calmer and based mainly on multiphonics. Ghosts is structurally related to a number of solo works I wrote over between 2004 and 2008, where the first half material is recorded and then immediately played back as the foundation for the 2nd half of the work, when new material is added. In this new work no recording is used, but elements of the first half do reappear in the 2nd half, like half-remembered memories.
Ghosts was written in 2006 for the Amstel Saxophone Quartet.


Ghosts (saxophone quartet)

Facing Death - Louis Andriessen 
live @ concertgebouw, recital hall

Facing Death - Louis Andriessen

'Pulsar' (2012) was inspired by the astronomical phenomenon of the same name, a rapidly rotating neutron star that emits regular pulses of radio waves and other electromagnetic radiation at rates ranging from once every few seconds up to 1000 pulses per second. Over their very long lifespans, pulsars eventually slow down and once a certain point has been reached the pulse-system seems to switch off.
Inspired by this simple idea of regular pulses gradually slowing down, I wrote 'Pulsar' for saxophone quartet and organ, a 12-minute work in eight sections which play without a break. As the work progresses the tempo gradually slows while the number of beats per bar increases, creating a sense of accumulating friction. Beyond that, there is a certain sense of otherworldliness created by the unusual (but not unknown) combination of saxophone quartet and organ, which is nicely in keeping with the source of the work’s origin.

'Pulsar' was commissioned by the Orgelpark, Amsterdam, and premiered by Pieter van Dijk and the Amstel Quartet in February 2013.


Pulsar (organ & saxophone quartet)

'Heaven lay close I' is a work in four sections, each based on a traditional tabla rhythmic cycle. Each section also has a melodic content which, although original, seeks to evoke the spirit of the kind of music one normally associates with the tabla but now in a more Western, 'classical' context due to the presence of the quartet. The marriage of these two traditions results in a new, or neutral territory, where each tradition has been able to influence the musical outcome to a roughly equal degree.

The work was written with funds from an Arts Council of Ireland Artist Bursary. The performance here is by the Amstel Quartet and Niti Ranjan Biswas.


Heaven Lay Close I (saxophone quartet)

Performed by the Amstel Quartet - Unedited premiere recording

Lachrymae

Bounce was written for the Amstel Saxophone Quartet, premiere Den Bosch, Netherlands 2010. The tenor and alto saxophone are muted, with a water bottle and a rubber ball. Inspired by the rhythm of a boucing ball. Appears on the CD "Live at de Toonzaal" (Amstel Records).

Bounce - for saxophone quartet

Overkant Audio Trailer

I'm working at a piece for saxophone quartet and saxophone soloist, to be premiered next year by David Kweksilber and the Amstel Quartet. It will be called: Concertare. 
This is a first version of one of the parts, Ripetizione, as played by the Amstel Quartet on a trial concert at Felix Meritis in Amsterdam, 11 May 2013. For this occasion I'm playing the role of the improvising soloist myself.

Remco Jak - soprano sax
Olivier Sliepen - alto sax
Bas Apswoude - tenor sax
Ties Mellema - baritone sax
Luc Houtkamp - straight alto sax


Ripetizione

AMSTEL QUARTET
‘The most colourful saxophone quartet in the world’, that is the Amstel Quartet. Old music, new music, world music, classical chamber music, the Amstel Quartet plays it all and presents it in unexpected and innovative ways. Virtuosity, breaking new ground, and an unheard of perseverance are key words. The logical result of this, is a prize cabinet filled to the brim with awards. The Concert Artists Guild Management Award, The Kersjes Prize and the Gaudeamus Interpreters Competition not only illustrate the Amstel Quartet’s diversity, they are also indicators of the international recognition the quartet receives when performing in esteemed concert halls and on extensive tours through Europe, Russia, the Middle East, China, Japan and the United States. 

Facing Death - Louis Andriessen

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