Loos for soprano and ensemble

The text moves from confinement to command. In the spoken 17th-century narration, the protagonist laments that “the world is a small cage for a woman,” longing for the salt air and the sea. By the finale, the traditional folk song is dismantled and rebuilt into a hymn of victory: she refuses to be the cabin boy—she becomes the Captain.

The Music & Sound

The score calls for a specific textural palette: the percussive, metallic attack of the cimbalom and piano set against a dark string section. This acoustic combination mirrors the lyrics directly—evoking the “wood’s complaining” and the tension of the rigging—while creating a driving rhythmic engine that does not require a conductor.

The structure creates a theatrical dialogue between eras. The spoken narration utilizes original 17th-century style texts, grounding the work in historical reality, while the soprano sings in modern language, providing the protagonist’s contemporary perspective.

The Context

Composed for Splendor Amsterdam (the artist-run collective) to celebrate the inauguration of new members, the piece reflects the concert’s theme: “On Board.” It serves as a musical embarkation, connecting the maritime past with the arrival of a new artistic voice.