True Love

Soprano and piano

For Bauwien van der Meer and Caecilia Boschman.
Commissioned by Bauwien van der Meer

Lachrymae

Saxophone quartet

Commissioned by the International Organfestival Haarlem for the Amstel Quartet.

After Dinner Toast

5 singers, harmonium, phonograph and electronics

After Dinner Toast is about the conception, marvel and marketing of Thomas Edison’s. phonograph.
Commissioned by: NFPK+

Blink Blink

Ensemble and sampler

A small present for American composer John Adams.

Charlie Charlie

A documentary in music

From the ‘documentary in music’ about the airship Hindenburg – “This great floating palace”
Libretto: Lex Bohlmeijer
Commisisoned by: NFPK+ and AFK

Ghost Wall

Recorder Quartet and electronics

Voor en door blokfluitkwartet Brisk met de opgenomen stem van sopraan Johannette Zomer.
Opdracht van het NFPK+

Music Box

Carillon and electronics

Commissiond by carilloneur Frans Haagen. Based on the first known sound recording of the song Au Claire de la Lune.

Squawk Box

Saxophone quartet, piano and soundtrack

Live in de Toonzaal
Opdracht Fonds voor de Scheppende Toonkunst

List of compositions

THE NOSE – ensemble and actress (2024)
DREAM TOWN – choir (2024)
TRUE LOVE SONG CYCLE – soprano and piano (2023)
HARTZEER – reed quartet (2023)
DRIFT – saxophone quartet (2023)
UNCUT – chamber choir, ensemble, mezzo-soprano, tenor and child soprano (2020-21)
PRELUDE – B WEIRD – piano solo (2019)
LIBERA ME – ensemble, choir (SATB) and mezzo-soprano (2018)
AGNUS DEI – ensemble, choir (SA) and baritone (2018)
TRUE LOVE – soprano and piano (2018)
AMERICA – carillon (2018)
SONG OF SORROW – choir (2017)
TWO MINIMALS – microtonal ensemble (2015)
I SPEAK YOUR NAME – mezzo-soprano and harmonium (2014)
SHORT CIRCLES OF FIFTHS – violin and piano (2014)
VIOLECTRA CONCERTO – electric violin and wind ensemble (2012)
POTEMKIN – saxophone quartet (2012)
AFTER DINNER TOAST – 5 singers, phonograph, harmonium and sampler (2011)
WHIRLY GIRLS – recorder, percussion, soprano and violin (2010)
LACHRYMAE – saxophone quartet (2009)
LACHRYMAE – organ (2009)
SIDEWALK BEND – saxophone quartet (2009)
GHOST WALL – recorder quartet with live electronics (2009)
MUSIC BOX – carillon and soundtrack (2008)
SOUND OF WAX – wind ensemble (2008)
CHARLIE CHARLIE – ensemble, singers, electronics and video (2007)
SQUAWK BOX – saxophone quartet, piano and soundtrack (2006/7)
SQUARE PRAYER – carillon and soundtrack (2006)
HARD LOVE – electric guitar and soundtrack (2006)
VE-DANCES – accordion solo (2005)
FIDDLERS – string quartet (2004)
NEBEL – orchestra (2004)
BOILERPLATE – bass clarinet, piano and soundtrack (2004)
VOICE OVER – orchestra (2003)
HOTEL ROOM SUITE – bassoon solo (2003)
gROUND – ensemble (2003)
BLINK BLINK – ensemble (2002)
SPINNING WHEELS – orchestra (2002)
DE REIS – ensemble, tape and soprano (1994)
KOKON – piano solo (1993)
HAI KOE – ensemble (1992)
STUMBLING CHRONOS – ensemble (1991)
MISSA PRO PARENTIBUS MEIS – choir a capella (1989)

MUSIC composed by RENSKE VROLIJK

Music – Inspiration for the present

In much of music by Renske Vrolijk she refers to the present and the near future. She does this by using inspiring examples from the past. Therefor she she uses original phonograph recordings in her composition After Dinner Toast from the time that Thomas Edison was promoting his invention. He thought he could replace letter post with his wax roll cylinders. Edison’s contemporaries were amazed and fascinated by his invention. However, they mainly used his invention as entertainment. With that they resemble us with our fascination for technological developments and its frivolous uses.

Despite the fact that technology changes at lightning speed, our basic reactions remains the same. First of all, amazement, second excitement, third acceptance, fourth exploitation and finally boredom, to look out for the next (new) gimmick. We might be able to quickly master new technological developments, psychologically our evolution has a much slower pace.

Music – A bow to the past

As it might not be surprising, the past offers a great wealth of examples for inspiration, both iconographically and literally. Hence, this helps to offering a richer experience for the listener (I hope).

Several musical examples from the last 600 years have been a starting point for Renske Vrolijk has incorporated into her music. First, in her piano work KOKON L’homme armé is the starting point, as well as in Squawk Box she composed for the Amstel Quartet. Second, Sweelinck’s Mein junges Leben hat ein End served as inspiration in Whirly Girls, which she composed for ensemble Electra. Third, in the aforementioned After Dinner Toast, Arthur Sullivans The Last Chord serves as a connecting link with the past. Likewise, music by Adriaan Willaert found its way into Ghost Wall, which she composed for Brisk recorder quartet.

Contact

If you have made it as far as here I guess you might be interested. Would you like to perform music composed by Renske Vrolijk? Or would you like information about a (new) composition? Please contact her via the contact form.

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