24th International Choral Festival CRO PATRIA
Vocal ensemble Antiphonus under the direction of Tomislav Fačini performing OPEN SEA GLORIA AND PRAYER by Joris van der Herten

The festival was organized by Glazbena mladež Split (organizer / GMS) under the auspices of the President of the Republic of Croatia (all programs are part of the 50th anniversary of GMS), the Ministry of Culture, Split-Dalmatia County, City of Split, Split Tourist Board and Croatian Composers' Association.

Open Sea Gloria and Prayer (2020)

Composition competition that was held in honor of the 75th anniversary of JMI (Jeunesses Musicales International)
Winner: Joris van der Herten - "kalleke step en het ros beiaard" overture for chamber orchestra (2021)
Other two winners: SiHyun Uhm (South Korea), Veljko Nenadić (Serbia)

Brussels, 2021/9/30  -  JMI 75 Year Celebration Concert
Orchestra: Antwerpen Camerata, conducted by Dimitris Spouras

Jeunesses Musicales International (JMI) was created in 1945 with a vision to unite young people across the world through music. On 2021/9/30 special guests were invited at Maison de la Poste, Brussels in order to celebrate 75 years of Jeunesses Musicales International with a special concert by the Antwerpen Camerata featuring 3 new works composed by the winners of JMI’s Young Composers Competition.

The Antwerpen Camerata:
As an international ensemble consisting of musicians from all over the world, the orchestra embodies its vision of making music without boundaries. The orchestra distinguishes itself with its dedication to the music of the past, while also seeking interaction with living (young) composers. The Antwerpen Camerata was formed in 2015 in Antwerpen, Belgium, and has since the beginning been under the guidance of Dimitris Spouras, artistic director and chief conductor.Taking part in various annual projects, performing at festivals and concert venues, for example, the 2015 Klarafestival in DeSingel, and collaborating with renowned musicians and artists (Eliane Rodrigues, Peter Van de Velde, Hendrickje van Kerckhove, Nadja Nevelovitsch and Wilfried Van den Brande) the orchestra is quickly establishing itself in the European musical landscape.

This event was made possible through the support of:
The European Union Creative Europe Program, BELSPO, Visit.Brussels and Actiris.

"kalleke step en het ros beiaard" overture for chamber orchestra (2021)

A driving hoe-down built on the classic Dutch nursery rhyme and nonsense verse "Ozewiezewoze", combined with the Belgian national anthem (La Brabançonne).

Hoe-Down Extravaganza (2020)

Hillwinds of New Hampshire for wind band (2021)

Vlaamse Leeuw Overture (2012)

Mechanical orchestras or "orchestrions" were popular even into the age of recorded music. Of special note was the "photoplayer", an automatic mechanical orchestra used by movie theatres to produce photoplay music to accompany silent 􀀱films.

This piece combines rhythms and motives from and beyond the polka and sirtaki (a dance of Greek origin, choreographed by Giorgos Provias for the 1964 fi􀀱lm Zorba the Greek), with the characteristic off-beat effects of the early 20th century photoplayer arrangements.

The 23 Skidoo (2021) for grade 3 wind band

First reading by the ASO at Bozar, Brussels on 2022/10/1. For preview only.

danserye VI (a rabid rose) - Ros Beiaard overture

Spoken word by Sigmund Freud (radio interview)
Creative Commons samples used:
Scarlatti - Psalm 112:113: Laudate pueri - et humilia  -- Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra 
http://www.freesound.org/people/Leady/sounds/26723/
http://www.freesound.org/people/Corsica_S/sounds/62502/

To My Neurotic Patients (2009)

American premiere by the New Conductors Orchestra at Good Shepherd-Faith Church, NYC on 2024/2/25. For preview only.

danserye VI (a rabid rose) [NY premiere] for orchestra

Sheet music at http://www.scoreexchange.com/scores/167848.html

"Silang Mabele" is a traditional South African song in Tswana (a Bantu language spoken in South Africa). It translates roughly as ‘crush the corn’ (meaning ‘let’s get down to work’). This is the version of the melody and text as recalled by Joyce Keitumetse Moholoagae, who is a "tradition bearer" for The Song Collectors Collective (an organisation aimed at conserving rare oral culture, headed by folk singer Sam Lee). Her recording can be consulted for the correct pronunciation: https://soundcloud.com/song-collectors/scc-joyce-m-silang-mabele-edit

This traditional song was also used by Sotho South African songwriter and anti-apartheid protest singer Vusi Mahlasela on his eponymous third album, albeit with a different melody and approach. Vusi writes: "The song simply means getting down to work. It is a folk traditional song we sang while I was growing up. I took this song into another level by adding the message of a call for unity to fight poverty all over the world."

This arrangement starts with a simple statement of the melody, followed by a homophonic harmonization and then commences with a rhythmic setting, incorporating more and more countermelodies.

Lyrics:

Silang Mabele
Gamang dikgomo
Tsatsi le phirimile
Bana ba tshwere ke tlala
Ba tshwere ke ramatheka
Monna yo mosesane

Translation:

Crush the oats
Milk the cows
The sun is setting
Children are hungry
They are held by Ramatheka
The thin man

Silang Mabele [South-African folksong] (choir SATB) piano mockup

Sheet music at http://www.scoreexchange.com/scores/167980.html

'Hooray, long live the good health of our people. This is the cup of love: it's an antidote for pain.' This well-known student song originated in the Netherlands. The author and composer are unknown. The melody shows some similarities to the medieval student song 'a, a, a, valeta' from Leuven.

'Io vivat' is recorded in many student almanacs and songbooks, especially those of the nineteenth century. Many other lyrics have been set to this melody. Judging from their contents, they were sung loudly by groups at fraternity gatherings, where the gin featured in the song flowed freely. But the song was also considered appropriate for use at quiet, patriotic civil celebrations and memorial services.

Io Vivat! [student song] (choir SATB) piano mockup

Requiem for Carlo: Requiem aeternam

Vlaamse Leeuw Jingle 2 (2012)

Dies Irae Noir (2012)

Sheet music at http://www.scoreexchange.com/scores/133175.html

Gents Universitair Koor conducted by Joris Derder. Piano accompaniment by Marc Masson. Arranged by Joris van der Herten (2012)

Sinterklaas kapoentje [sinterklaasliedje] (choir SATB + piano)

A small arrangement of the Belgian national anthem.

Joris van der Herten

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