VOCAL &
SYMPHONIC
Title
Colors for Trombone (symphonic version)
The starting point of Colors is bipartite. On the one hand I wanted to create a solo piece based upon the colors yellow, blue, red and green.
I wanted to express the characteristics, associations and emotions related to these colors in a subtle manner.
This way, every movement was named after a color:
1) Yellow: inspiring and stimulating, (also: wisdom and light)
2) Red: dynamic, passionate developing into dramatic, furious and fighting (also: courage and will-power)
3) Blue: melancholic, dreamy and introvert (also: truth and peace)
4) Green: hopeful and full of expectation (also: balanced power and harmony)
A second important source of inspiration was the death of an uncle who was a trombone player in his free time. The heavy struggle that this man went through at the end of his life might be symbolized in the second movement of the concerto, which sounds like a battle at the end of this movement.
The unity in the piece is reached by the use of a three tone motif (c-d-g) which constantly returns in various ways throughout the composition and which is the basis of every important theme.
Finally I tried to use the coloristic pallet of the trombone in the best possible way, making use of the complete range of the instrument and the different timbres of the instrument.
Jericho
Jericho is the musical translation of the well-known story from the book of Joshua about the capture of the city of Jericho by the Israelites.
Part 1 depicts the cruel journey through the desert to Canaan, the promised land. An emotional lamentation for the yearning for a home, for the end of a roaming existence.
The capture of Jericho is the theme of part 2. The city cannot be captured immediately and Jehovah orders an impressive army to march around the city for six days. On the seventh day, they marched around the city seven times and the priests blew their trumpets and the people cried so loud that the walls of Jericho came tumbling down. The Jews stormed the city and drove the inhabitants away. The music clearly reveals the marching army and you can hear the walls falling down with a tremendous noise. However, there is quite some artistic freedom in the actual story.
A majestic and grand melody subsequently evokes the triumphant emotions that emerged as the fortified city fell (part 3).
Following a personal and romantic interpretation, the scene ultimately ends in a typical Jewish feast (part 4) whereby the virtuosity of melodies played by the woodwinds and the passionate rhythms refer to traditional Jewish music. All themes are repeated in this last part in various forms, often simultaneous and in duelling counterpoint. The piece ends with fragments from the main theme of part 1 in major: peace and quiet return at last.
Heaven’s Gate
The 3nd movement of symphony nr.2 was transcribed into a new piece for symphonic orchestra, named ‘Heaven’s gate. In search for an answer to the human suffering, the music is an ode to love and the deep connection we can experience with all living creatures.
La Couleur de L’âme
Solo for violin and symphony orchestra
Orchesterlieder
This composition for soprano voice and symphony orchestra combines three songs about love: Custodi me, Canticum Canticorum and in Amorem.
Custodi me is about the love of a mother for her son. Canticum Canticorum is based upon the Song of Solomon from the bible and speaks about passionate love. And the third song in Amorem is about love beyond death.
Saga Candida
Orchestral suite based upon 7 songs from the musical Zaad van Satan. In 7 images, the prosecution of a witch is being musically expressed:
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Opening
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Accusations
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Innocence (Love)
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Tango
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Sabbath
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Death
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Transformation
Symphony nr.1: Gilgamesh
The Epic of Gilgamesh was found in the middle of the 19th century, written on 25,000 clay tablets. After an extensive study of the tablets, this old Sumerian epic was translated, even though many of the tablets were never found. The epic was a source of inspiration for Bert Appermont to write his first symphony, which contains 4 movements:
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Gilgamesh & Enkidu
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Battle of Titans
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Adventures in the Forest
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Journey to Utnapishim
The first movement introduces the 2 half gods Gilgamesh and Enkidus. In the second movement, the 2 characters fight each other in a heroic battle and discover that they are equal in strength. They become friends and go on adventure in the forest (3th Movement), where they battle with all kind of dangerous creatures. In the last movement (Journey to Utnapishim) Enkidu tries to find an answer to mortality, when his friend Gilgamesh dies.
The Beyond
The Beyond is a metaphysical composition about the unknown which music can touch upon in a very subtle and special way. The composition has 3 movements: Misteroso – Allegro and Adagio, which are interwoven in some kind of never ending search for the Beyond.
The Symphonic Experience
This work was written to introduce the instrumental groups of the orchestra, as well as the seperate instruments.
The order of introduction is strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion. This work was commissioned by publisher Photo Music International.