The Rotterdam Philharmonic World premiere performance of Herinnering by Dutch composer Carlijn Metselaar

Over the past two days the Rotterdam Philharmonic have been giving the World Premiere performance of a new orchestral work entitled Herinnering by the young Dutch composer Carlijn Metselaar in Rotterdam’s De Doelen Main Concert Hall as well as in the Concertgebouw (Concert Zaal) Brugge. The board were delighted to attend the first performance. The premiere took place in the second half of the concert, and Carlijn graciously met with the board in the intermission to share her thoughts and insights in to the 10 minute orchestral work. She was commissioned to write Herinnering (‘Remembrance’) by the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra for the Remembrance Day commemorations in May. About the work, she reflected: ‘I thought about the physical nature of remembrance, and how something such as a wartime experience can endure within the human body. The work is based on a cantus firmus [a simple, repetitive melody that forms the base against which other voices counterpoint, ed.] that runs through the piece, perhaps like the human nervous system, which becomes increasingly disrupted. There is a sense of the music reaching out and trying to connect, but being constantly held back. The image that came to me is crown shyness, where the crowns of treetops growing to avoid touching each other, creating beautiful lines of sky between each of them.’ The board were deeply struck by the composition and the composer’s sensitivity to line and orchestral colour. After the performance we were able to meet with her again to congratulate her. A composer we felt proud to support!