Dvořák and Mendelssohn

Emma_Brown_OratorioOn Friday 30th October, Emma will sing at the sixtieth anniversary of the oratorio society “Kom nu met Sangh.” This long-standing choir, founded in 1955, have invited Hollands Sinfonia and soloists Wendy Roobol, Emma Brown, Aart Mateboer and Hans Brons to perform Dvořák’s Mass in D and Mendelssohn’s Lobgesang under conductor Henk Gijzen.

The concert takes place in the Julianakerk in Sassenheim, starting at 20:00.

Tickets, costing €25, are available at Primera, Sassenheim, and on the door.

2016-12-09T18:50:20+02:00October 14th, 2015|

Composing for Choirs

The children's choir of the Oude Kerk, Amsterdam

The children’s choir of the Oude Kerk, Amsterdam

Emma has had a productive month working on two very different composition commissions.

The Sweelinckcantorij in Amsterdam commissioned Emma to write a piece for the children’s choir of the Oude Kerk as part of their 50-year celebrations, from a poem by Dutch author Karel Eykman. The poem, ‘Pesach,’ links Exodus to Easter. Emma’s setting, for unison children’s choir and chamber organ, contrasts the urgengy of the refugees’ situation with the serenity of the Easter message.

The second composition was for the Salvation Army choir in Leiden, for whom Emma plays the piano as a volunteer. The text was by scholar Raene Sijbom. The piece conforms to the style of music that is usually sung by the choir and was written with the abilities of the singers in mind. The result, “Ik leef voor U,” is a simple but moving four-part song with piano accompaniment.

Future commissions include writing for the inauguration of the Father Willis organ in the Hooglandse Kerk te Leiden in spring 2016, and for Musica da Lima‘s forthcoming tour to Rome.

2016-12-09T18:50:20+02:00October 7th, 2015|
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