Who in the Netherlands didn’t grow up with the children’s song Daar was laatst een meisje loos? A song about a girl who didn’t know her purpose. But what if she did? What if she didn’t just want to be a sailor, but the captain? The song for soprano and ensembleLoos, with the allure of a mini-chamber opera, tells a powerful and contemporary story about ambition.
for performers and concert programmers
About the Song
This composition was written for a special concert at Splendor Amsterdam, where the composer presented herself as one of the new Splendor musicians.
A New Perspective on an Old Song
The traditional children’s song places us in the 17th century, a time when it was unheard of for girls to want to go to sea. The original lyrics, therefore, depict a girl who is ‘loos’—aimless and at a loss, a problem to be solved.
In stark contrast, the composition Loos introduces a very different girl. She knows exactly what she wants: to go to sea! And not as a mere sailor, but as the captain. In an era when this was forbidden, her ambition is a revolutionary act. In short, she is not lost—she is determined.
An Ode to the Sea and Splendor
The piece was created for this concert with the theme ‘The Sea,’ chosen specially for Sail Amsterdam 2025. As one of the five new ‘Splendori’ (the musicians who run the Amsterdam-based venue Splendor), Renske Vrolijk contributed this composition. Therefore, the work is not only a personal statement but also a celebration of a new artistic chapter.
For performers
Instruments:
S, vla, vc, db,
pno, cimb
Duration:
6′
Year:
2025
Premiere:
25 June 2025
Splendor
Amsterdam
Category:
6-18 musicians
Language:
Dutch or English
Lyricist:
Renske Vrolijk
Are you interested in performing this work? Please contact my publisher.
Renske’s sheet music
is published by Deuss Music.
Listen to Loos for soprano and ensemble
demo recording
*) Loosely translated into English Loos means Free – back to title.