Free downloads and a world premiere; it's Maarten Ornstein with the news
And all the other news and views
Hello everyone,
For various reasons, this newsletter comes to you a little later than I intended. Nowadays I sometimes find it hard to keep the focus on my work; all the troubling news from the world, including that about our own dysfunctional and openly racist Dutch government is quite disturbing and distracting. Even more than before I feel that we as artists have to be conscious of the part we play in this world; bring solace and beauty, build bridges and provoke discussion. We are the chroniclers and commentators of our time, providing an invaluable counterweight to the tragedies and injustice we read about every day.
As much as anyone, I fall into the trap of reading the news too much. It mostly leaves me feeling horrified, powerless and sometimes wondering if our music can be strong enough to help counterbalance so much hatred and destruction. And yet, we have to be convinced that it can. All that is required is that we, from time to time, take a moment to reflect on why we do what we do and for whom we do it. After all, we musicians are in the communications business. So let’s communicate our joy, our anger, even our despair and bring wonder, consolation and empathy to a world that so very much needs it.
Now that that’s off my chest, let’s get on with the news.
Free sheet music downloads from my website.
A while ago I decided to make my music more accessible for everyone by creating a page on my website where you can download pdf’s of some of my pieces. Currently there are works for string quartet, jazz trio, solo piano and string trio, and I will upload new compositions regularly. I have a few arrangements for Christmas tunes, a nice little duo piece for two similar instruments, and some songs almost ready to go, so check the page every now and then. The sheet music is provided as is, so with minimal editing or proof reading done. If you have any special wishes, just contact me and I’ll see what I can do. The downloads are free, but of course a donation is graciously accepted. If you do download something, at the very least subscribe to this newsletter or write me a note.
Go here to download some music.
Koreri première, May 17th Muziekgebouw.
In my previous newsletter I wrote about Opera Papua, the chamber opera I composed in 2022/23 and which premiered in May 2023. Due to unforeseen circumstances the opera never really went beyond the tryout phase and was performed only once. You can imagine my disappointment, so I was happy to be asked to create a suite of the opera’s instrumental highlights. Written for five strings, clarinet, trumpet and percussion, the suite has 10 short movements, each with a different character. The première in Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ will be performed by the excellent Camerata RCO. I chose to name the piece Koreri, the name of the paradisiacal state or state of salvation in which man was in prehistoric times, according to the mythology of the inhabitants of Biak and Numfor in Geelvink Bay off New Guinea. Of course the title refers to the original Opera Papua and its story. You can read all about the opera on my website.
Tickets for May 17th; 14:15; Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ are here.
BACH tryouts and CD recording.
Almost ten years ago Mike Fentross and I released our first CD ‘Oblivion Soave’ which is still one of the releases I’m most proud of. It was followed by three albums with singers Rima Khcheich, Kadri Tegelmann and with Hilary Summers and the Dudok Quartet, all released on the wonderful Zefir Records label. Now in 2025 it’s time for another duo album, and Mike and I will record it in June. This new release features Bach’s Goldberg Variations which we arranged for theorbo and bass clarinet, and works by Karlheinz Stockhausen and Willem Breuker. A central element in all the music is variations (or Veränderungen). This is obvious in the Goldberg Variations, but Stockhausen also speaks of variations that can be invented on his music in Tierkreis, from which we will play three pieces. Similarly, Willem Breuker’s beautiful Reisefieber contains many variations on its central theme. Before we record, we will play two tryouts in Amsterdam: May 18th in Splendor and May 27 in Roode Bioscoop. See you there.
That’s all for now, must dash! Next time I will update you on Al-Khymia, my collaboration with Frances-Marie Uitti, a very special trombone solo I’m writing, a podcast series I’m producing together with Emily Beynon and why I will never spam you via Whatsapp or Signal or whatever. And about a composer’s residency I’m going to do on a tiny island. Bye!