Stabat Mater as a musical journey
The Belgian composer and pianist Koen Dejonghe (°1957) was so much inspired by a painting from 1672, that he gave the Stabat Mater its own musical setting, like others before him have done, e.g. Pergolesi, Vivaldi and Poulenc.
You might be surprised: the Concertzender Live with classical music and then the Stabat Mater from Koen Dejonghe? Especially at the beginning of the piece, you might wonder if this is classical music. It is and it isn’t: Koen deJonghe isn’t one to be labelled. He composes with a susceptibility to any musical tradition that fits his creativity, giving the medieval Latin poem a surprising instrumental cast: choir, violin, piano, synthesizer and organ.
Along the way we meet Bach, Purcell, Poulenc, Piazolla. The Stabat mater Dolorosa from Koen Dejonghe is a bit like Max Richter‘s ‘The Four Seasons Recomposed’. And yet, there is nothing jerky about his composition: the different influences and styles follow each other in a harmonious way and the lyrics are honoured.
Koen Dejonghe
Even more amazing: you can dance to this Stabat Mater, which they actually did during a big performance in Eeklo, in Belgium. Choreographer Ingolf Colmar created a modern dance inspired by Baroque dance. Three art forms come together in this performance: the original painting, the multifaceted composition from Koen Dejonghe and the poetic movements of the dancers. You can watch the video here.
“The descent from the cross”, from Pieter Thys
Later in this episode: music from Edvard Grieg, performed by the Haydn Youth String Orchestra conducted by Jan Ype Nota, at the Aurora Festival.
Playlist
Koen Dejonghe (°1957)
Stabat Mater Dolorosa
Performing: Mixed-voice chamber choir “Terpander” conducted by Godfried Vande Vyvere, Mieke D’Hondt (soprano), Sarah Wyffels (violin), Dieter Vanhandenhoven (organ) and Koen Dejonghe (piano and synthesizer.
Recorded: 23 March 2024 in the Sint-Vincentius church, Eeklo, Belgium
Sound technicians: Dominik Boiy, Simon Vanderbeken and Gert Van Hoof
Edvard Grieg (1843-1907)
- Two Nordic Melodies for string orchestra op. 63
- 6 songs, opus 48
- Holberg suite opus 40
Performing: Haydn Youth String Orchestra conducted by Jan Ype Nota.
Recorded: 22 July 2024, AE Hall, Prins Claus Conservatoire, Groningen
Recording technician: Jaap Zijp
Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924)
l’Horizon chimérique op.118 – 4 songs
Performing: Roele Kok, vocals, Martijn Willers, piano.
Recorded: 23 August 2024, Dorpskerk, Eelde, Aurore Festival
Recording technician: Tom Dunnebier
Interesting links:
-
the Ultimate website: https://stabatmater.info/nl/het-stabat-mater-van-koen-dejonghe-een-muzikale-tijdreis/
- Website Koen Dejonghe with free scores:https://www.free-scores.com/Download-PDF-Sheet-Music-koen-dejonghe.htm
