Dromen en Nacht - Dreams and Night
Vocal Ensemble A'dam 24
Next concert - 8th of March 2025 in de Waalse Kerk in Amsterdam.
Dreams and Night revolves around the beautiful choral arrangement of Träume, which emerged from the love affair between the writer Mathilde Wesendonck and Richard Wagner. Wagner was exiled from Germany in 1849 because of his socialist political activities, and was taken in by Otto and Mathilde Wesendonck in Zurich in 1852, together with his wife. They were supported financially, and were given a cottage on their estate in 1857. Wagner had already written part of the Ring cycle, and was inspired by his interest in the philosophy of Schopenhauer to write Tristan and Isolde. One of Schopenhauer's ideas was that music played an important role in the arts as a direct expression of the essence of the world, namely the blind, impulsive will. Richard and Mathilde took that blind, impulsive will to heart, and she not only became his literary muse, but also his secret lover. Music as an expression of impulsive will is only strengthened by the dark mystery of the night. Of course, this does not have to be accompanied by lust. In the pieces of this program I find profound reflection, incredible power and hope in the midst of dark chaos, consolation, wonder, peace.
This is a program with a number of well-known classics such as Rheinberger’s Abendlied and Nachtwache II by Brahms. But for the most part there are many other beautiful surprises: a very dramatic piece by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (the “African Mahler”) entitled Sea-Drift, the New Moon by Ešenvalds that creates a spell-binding sound with 9 singing crystal glasses, and a piece by the young Estonian Uusberg (1986) that alternates a solo quartet with the large choir. Of the thirteen composers, eight are still very much alive.
In this way we hope to take you along in a program that interrupts the daily grind and carries us away into a dream full of wonder and magic.
image copyright Simon van Boxtel Photography
WE RAISED 687 EUROS FOR STICHTING DROMEN VOOR DUCHENNE BY SELLING 56 CHOCOLATE SINTERKLAAS LETTERS AS PART OF THEIR BENEFIT ACTION. DROMEN VOOR DUCHENNE RAISES FUNDS FOR CHILDREN WITH DUCHENNE IN ORDER TO MAKE ACTIVITIES POSSIBLE THAT THEY HAVE ON THEIR WISH LIST. IN OTHER WORDS, TO MAKE THEIR DREAMS COME TRUE.
Dreams and Night revolves around the beautiful choral arrangement of Träume, which emerged from the love affair between the writer Mathilde Wesendonck and Richard Wagner. Wagner was exiled from Germany in 1849 because of his socialist political activities, and was taken in by Otto and Mathilde Wesendonck in Zurich in 1852, together with his wife. They were supported financially, and were given a cottage on their estate in 1857. Wagner had already written part of the Ring cycle, and was inspired by his interest in the philosophy of Schopenhauer to write Tristan and Isolde. One of Schopenhauer's ideas was that music played an important role in the arts as a direct expression of the essence of the world, namely the blind, impulsive will. Richard and Mathilde took that blind, impulsive will to heart, and she not only became his literary muse, but also his secret lover. Music as an expression of impulsive will is only strengthened by the dark mystery of the night. Of course, this does not have to be accompanied by lust. In the pieces of this program I find profound reflection, incredible power and hope in the midst of dark chaos, consolation, wonder, peace.
This is a program with a number of well-known classics such as Rheinberger’s Abendlied and Nachtwache II by Brahms. But for the most part there are many other beautiful surprises: a very dramatic piece by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (the “African Mahler”) entitled Sea-Drift, the New Moon by Ešenvalds that creates a spell-binding sound with 9 singing crystal glasses, and a piece by the young Estonian Uusberg (1986) that alternates a solo quartet with the large choir. Of the thirteen composers, eight are still very much alive.
In this way we hope to take you along in a program that interrupts the daily grind and carries us away into a dream full of wonder and magic.
image copyright Simon van Boxtel Photography
WE RAISED 687 EUROS FOR STICHTING DROMEN VOOR DUCHENNE BY SELLING 56 CHOCOLATE SINTERKLAAS LETTERS AS PART OF THEIR BENEFIT ACTION. DROMEN VOOR DUCHENNE RAISES FUNDS FOR CHILDREN WITH DUCHENNE IN ORDER TO MAKE ACTIVITIES POSSIBLE THAT THEY HAVE ON THEIR WISH LIST. IN OTHER WORDS, TO MAKE THEIR DREAMS COME TRUE.
program
Nachtwache II (Fünf Gesänge op. 104) Johannes Brahms 1833-1897
Abendlied Joseph Rheinberger 1839-1901
Come to me in the silence of the night Ivo Antognini 1963-
Tonight Eternity Alone René Clausen 1953-
I will wade out, hope faith life love Eric Whitacre 1970 -
Träume Richard Wagner (arr. Gottwald) 1813-1883
Nachtlied (Acht geistliche Gesänge op. 138) Max Reger 1873-1916
Sea Drift Samuel Coleridge-Taylor 1875-1912
PAUZE
Night (world premiere!) Jan van Maanen 1976 -
Talve Õhtul Pärt Uusberg 1986 -
Now the Crimson Petal Paul Mealor 1975-
The Sound of Silence Paul Simon (arr. L’Estrange) 1941-
The New Moon Erik Ešenvalds 1977-
Only in Sleep Erik Ešenvalds 1977-
Nachtwache II (Fünf Gesänge op. 104) Johannes Brahms 1833-1897
Abendlied Joseph Rheinberger 1839-1901
Come to me in the silence of the night Ivo Antognini 1963-
Tonight Eternity Alone René Clausen 1953-
I will wade out, hope faith life love Eric Whitacre 1970 -
Träume Richard Wagner (arr. Gottwald) 1813-1883
Nachtlied (Acht geistliche Gesänge op. 138) Max Reger 1873-1916
Sea Drift Samuel Coleridge-Taylor 1875-1912
PAUZE
Night (world premiere!) Jan van Maanen 1976 -
Talve Õhtul Pärt Uusberg 1986 -
Now the Crimson Petal Paul Mealor 1975-
The Sound of Silence Paul Simon (arr. L’Estrange) 1941-
The New Moon Erik Ešenvalds 1977-
Only in Sleep Erik Ešenvalds 1977-
looking back
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Program booklet (in Dutch)
Meet some of our singers.
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Jesse van der Plas - bass Singing is for me the perfect way to relax after a hard day's work. I also appreciate the challenge of getting the music out of your body as beautifully as possible. That we honour history in this way, and continue to perform music that is four centuries old, Singing is for me the perfect relaxation after a hard day's work. I also find the challenge cool to get the music out of your body as beautifully as possible. It's very special to me that we find a way to connect and honour history by continuing to perform music that is, in some cases, four centuries old.
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Daniela Solano, soprano 2 Making music together is one of the most fun things to do. Getting to know new people through the language of music is something I find so special every time. It shows that music is a language of its own that always connects.
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Paula van Delden, (mezzo)soprano Music is essential in my life: I studied flute at the conservatory and have always sung. Music gives color, shine, joy, but also comfort and depth. Singing together can bring magical moments.
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Anna Jongeneel - alto. Making music is synonymous with connecting. Singing together is (in my opinion) the most intimate form of that connection - impossible without opening yourself up to the other.
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I am Kasper van Kooten, bass-baritone. From a young age, music has been very important to me, and I think singing is the most beautiful, because this “instrument” is closest to your soul. Learning to sing is like finding your own voice, learning to express your own personality. Singing together is also about listening, and relating to the voices of others as harmoniously as possible. In a world full of polarization, in which everyone is constantly shouting over themselves, listening and harmony are essential. By singing in choirs, I not only become a more harmonious person myself, but I hope that this harmony also spreads to the audience.
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Gerben Groeneveld - tenor Choir singing is one of my greatest hobbies because you work together on a kind of communication of emotion. Forming harmonies, with attention to intonation and timing within the group, makes for a great experience.
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Frans Krouwels, bass-baritone Music has always played an essential role in my life. It can distract, lighten and amuse, but what touches me most is that music can tap into a deeper layer and thus add an extra dimension to the moment and feeling, like colours that intensify. This is even more true if you make music yourself, the wonder of making music together while singing is for me that together we create something beautiful out of nothing, that connects and moves.
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Ana Correia - alto I am a Portuguese choral conductor who is currently studying in Conservatorium van Amsterdam and my artistic motivation is to explore the role that music can play in the human and social development. Music is one of the most powerful languages in the history and making music with one's voice is a wonderful way to bring people closer to each other and to their own core.
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My name is Coosje Schouten and I am alto/mezzo in the new ensemble. From a young age, from primary school, I have been a member of choirs and have always loved choir singing. During and after my conservatory studies I have been part of various ensembles, what is better than singing with a group of people? Breathing in together, making sounds, refining them so that it comes to a good result with which you hope to move not only yourself but also others. We as singers also have the great advantage (as the only one of all performing musicians) that we have text at our disposal. This combination is the essence for me, to sing music and text with a group of people and to convey that.
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Daan Doeleman sings tenor with Vocal Ensemble A'dam24. Choir singing makes him optimistic and cheerful. And in the best case, he succeeds in creating something beautiful in a moment of meaningful connection.
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For me, music is very important because it unites people, regardless of their origin, culture or language. Anai Telletxea Aguilera, tenor.
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Mariëtte van Berkum, alto Music gives the world colour, warmth and emotion. A song full of sorrow, or just cheerfulness, without any emotion does not come across to me. From my former singing teacher Maria Rondél I learned to also tell the story with singing and to convey it to the audience. I really enjoy doing that. You can experience music by listening, but I personally find practicing it yourself the superlative. Whether it is a solo piece or a large choral work, music is simply wonderful.
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There was a lot of music in our house and we loved to sing. Despite that, I only really started singing later. First Russian songs, as a Slavist in the army, then Baltic choral music in the chamber choir Tegenlicht, then serious choral work with the Netherlands Concert Choir and now back with a chamber choir. It feels like coming home - there is a lot of singing, and it is done with pleasure (and beautifully!). (Stefan - bass)
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