Composer

:

Leo Samama

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

2000

Average_duration

:

14:01

"En Hollande, Op. 56" is a composition by Dutch composer Leo Samama. It was composed in 1995 and premiered on May 12, 1996, by the Netherlands Radio Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Peter Eötvös. The piece is divided into three movements and has a total duration of approximately 20 minutes. The first movement, "Landscape," is characterized by its pastoral and serene atmosphere. The music evokes the Dutch countryside, with its flat landscapes, windmills, and canals. The movement begins with a slow and contemplative introduction, featuring a solo oboe and a gentle string accompaniment. The music gradually builds in intensity, with the addition of brass and percussion, before returning to the peaceful opening theme. The second movement, "Cityscape," is a contrast to the first. It is a bustling and energetic depiction of the city of Amsterdam. The music is fast-paced and rhythmic, with a driving pulse provided by the percussion section. The brass and woodwinds take turns playing lively melodies, while the strings provide a frenzied accompaniment. The movement ends with a sudden and abrupt cutoff, as if the listener has been transported out of the city and back into the peaceful countryside. The final movement, "Seascape," is a depiction of the Dutch coast and the North Sea. The music is characterized by its sweeping melodies and undulating rhythms, evoking the ebb and flow of the tides. The movement begins with a slow and mournful theme, played by the strings, before building to a powerful climax featuring the full orchestra. The music then subsides, returning to the peaceful opening theme, before ending with a final flourish. Overall, "En Hollande, Op. 56" is a vivid and evocative depiction of the Dutch landscape, from the peaceful countryside to the bustling city and the wild coast. Samama's use of orchestration and melody creates a rich and varied musical landscape, capturing the essence of the Dutch experience.

More....