Petit Morceau, Seufzer, and Spring in War-Time on new CDs

For their new CDs, duos Merel Vercammen and Dina Ivanova and Tinka Pypker & Maurice Lammerts van Bueren recorded three pieces by Mathilde Wantenaar.

Petit Morceau, originally written for the young contestants of the Nederlands Vioolconcours, appears on Sarasvati the third album of violinist Merel Vercammen and pianist Dina Ivanova. The work features alongside pieces by Debussy, Poulenc, Kruusma, and Roukens. The CD can be purchased here.

Les Chemins, the new album of soprano Tinka Pypker and pianist Maurice Lammerts van Bueren, features two songs; Seufzer and Spring in War-Time. De Gelderlander wrote about the recording:

“Undoubtedly special is Spring in War-Time. This anti-war song by Mathilde Wantenaar (1993) - winner of the BUMA Classical Award 2023 - to the words of Teasdale reaches its greatest height in the stillness. Impressive the way Tinka Pypker manages to bend her voice with the emotions. [...] Amsterdam-based Wantenaar, on the other hand, draws inspiration from Bach's Cantata BWV 21 in Seufzer (‘Sigh’). An oppressive sadness becomes tangible through pressing silences and a scanning melody. Sublime! Even in our time, Dutch song makes an excellent contribution to the international context.”

Read the entire review here.

Nocturne premieres at the Concertgebouw

On the 24th of May, Jelmer de Moed and Rik Kuppen will premiere the short piece Nocturne at the Kleine Zaal of the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. The piece, inspired by a poem by Herman van den Bergh, is a first preview of a more substantial collaboration between Mathilde, Jelmer and Rik.

Tickets are available here.

Serenade premiered by the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra

On the 10th of May, the premiere of Serenade, written for the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra, took place in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. The piece was performed next to the two serenades by Antonín Dvořák and Mendelssohn’s concerto for two pianos and orchestra, performed by Lucas and Arthur Jussen. Below a recording of the piece, made in PHIL Haarlem on the 16th of May.