A clarinet quartet in which I tried my hand at strict dodecaphony (twelve tone music). The title means "Obsolete material" (meant ironically, as the age of dodecaphony was long past)

Verouderd Materieel

A piece for amateur symphony orchestra in which I tried to write a piece that was acceptable for conservative listeners (in C major!) while still be somewhat avantgarde. It is bases on a melody I created by means of the randomisation function of a computer. The melody doesn't repeat itself ever! I then harmonized this melody and finally orchestrated it.
The title means "The unending story".
The piece can be enjoyed on its own, or as first part of the cycle "Tijd en ruimte" ("Time & Space").
View a score video at https://scorefol.io/w/clohcawth000nl30fga6qi7u5.

Het Oneindige Verhaal (The Unending Story)

An electronic piece from before the digital age - everything is done by recording samples, distorting them and then layering them by hand on tape machines.
The piece uses a poem by the Dutch poet Hans Lodeizen called "Een stevige peuter" ("a sturdy infant") about feeling inadequate and out of touch with the world.

Een Stevige Peuter

A piece for wind quintet in which I tried to create music in C major, but going to the very far end of what would still be considered "correct".
A slow introduction has a chord structure that can be analyzed down to C major, but in a very far out way. The fast main part is based on a melody I created by using the randomization function of a computer. It's in C, but it doesn't repeat itself ever!
The title is an untranslateable pun that is even obscure to Dutch speakers.

Die Belazers

A piece for solo percussion, written for a ballet about the life of insects. In this piece two bugs meet and cautiously try each other out. Listeners didn't agree on whether the meeting was a success (they fall in love!) or not (they are quarelling!).

Dans Van De Kevers

A piece written for a ballet about the life of insects. In this piece, a centipede is trying to waltz, but its many feet can't possibly all keep the same time.
Scored for an ensemble of ten or so instruments.
The title means "Centipede's dance".

Dans Van De Duizendpoot

A piece for two flutes and two clarinets, using alternating consonance and dissonance to create a meditative atmosphere.
The title is an Indian concept meaning "appearance - disappearance".

Avirbhava - Tirobhava

A piece for seven bass clarinet players in seven movements. They start off as equals but movement by movement the middle player starts getting ideas and assuming a solo role. They others first sort of comply but then start revolting, by changing to other instruments (first regular clarinets, then recorders, finally a variaty of toy instruments) and changing to conflicting musical material. At the end they actually leave the stage leaving behind a very frustrated "soloist".
The title is a Dutch saying, literally "Snakes under the grass", figuratively an unpleasant surprise.

Adders Onder Het Gras

Seven miniatures for string trio, using strict twelve tone technique, but also using quite a bit of non-standard playing techniques.

Hiëroglyfen

Written for amateur orchestra, "De eeuwige terugkeer" ("The Perennial Return") is a relative slow piece in faux-passacaglia form. A short series of chords is continually repeated with different music over it.
The piece can be enjoyed on its own, or as second part of the cycle "Tijd en ruimte" ("Time & Space").
View a score video on https://scorefol.io/w/clohdll2m0001la0f4hi1yhsg.

Tijd en ruimte

De eeuwige terugkeer (The Perennial Return)

In this piece for amateur symphony orchestra, we visit several places around the world with style imitations of the local folk or classical music. There are three themes that adapt themselves to the local flavour with every occurrence.
The piece can be enjoyed on its own, or as third part of the cycle "Tijd en ruimte" ("Time & Space").
This is an updated version compared to the one uploaded earlier.

Wéreldmuziek (Out of this World)

Born in 1956, I studied clarinet and composition in Utrecht and then started a career as clarinet teacher. Later I studied and taught saxophone as well. Since 2000, I am a professional translator, but retired as such beginning 2023. So now I have ample time to do music again!

Jan Willem van Dormolen

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