Track Information About Calefax Acknowledgments

TRACK INFORMATION LINER NOTES ABOUT CALEFAX ACKNOWLEDGMENTS TRACK INFORMATION LINER NOTES ABOUT CALEFAX ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

HIDDEN GEMS ABING (1893 – 1950) arr. Oliver Boekhoorn PIETRO ANTONIO LOCATELLI (1695 – 1764) 8 Er Quan Ying Yue 4. 58 arr. Jelte Althuis Introduzione teatrale Op. 4, no. 1 CÉSAR FRANCK (1822 – 1890) 1 Allegro 1. 40 arr. Jelte Althuis 2 Allegro 1. 57 Prélude, fugue et variation 3 Presto 1. 56 9 Prélude 3. 06 10 Interlude 0. 31 ARCANGELO CORELLI (1653 – 1713) 11 Fugue & Variation 5. 54

arr. Raaf Hekkema 4 Variations on La Folia Op. 5, no. 12 10. 48 JOHANN WILHELM WILMS (1772 – 1847) ← ← arr. Jelte Althuis NINA SIMONE (1933 – 2003) 12 Rondo from Sinfonia a grand orchestre no. 4 5. 51 arr. Jelte Althuis 5 For All We Know 4. 04 ERIK SATIE (1866 – 1925) arr. Raaf Hekkema CARLO GESUALDO (1566 – 1613) Danses de travers arr. Raaf Hekkema 13 I 1. 41 6 Tu m’uccidi, o crudele 2. 24 14 II 1. 28 15 III 2. 29 NICO MUHLY (1981) 7 Look For Me 6. 00

HIDDEN GEMS ABING (1893 – 1950) RON FORD (1959) HIDDEN GEMS INTRODUZIONE TEATRALE and conducted an orchestra, whose VARIATIONS ON LA FOLIA FOR ALL WE KNOW TU M’UCCIDI, O CRUDELE our repertoire. The new piece, entitled the first time Calefax toured China. Er concert programs, but Jelte Althuis took RONDO DANSES DE TRAVERS MOTET right at home. The Motet has been ZDENKA VARIATIONS arr. Oliver Boekhoorn arr. Raaf Hekkema You’re holding Calefax’s newest CD In 2012/13, Calefax devoted a concert repertoire included his own works. He One of Locatelli’s teachers was In recent years, For all we know in The fact that Calefax has performed Look for Me, is a stylized reworking of Quan Ying Yue (‘Moon Reflected in the the first step in 2014 in arranging the In the Netherlands, Johann Wilhelm Of all the music on this CD, the Danses The Motet by the American composer played dozens of times as a Calefax Calafax’s repertoire includes three PIETRO ANTONIO LOCATELLI (1695 – 1764) 8 Er Quan Ying Yue 4. 58 16 Motet 1. 51 — eighteen and counting, since the program to foreign composers who died at his home, Prinsengracht 506, Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713). When he the version by Nina Simone (1933- the madrigals of Carlo Gesualdo da Mother in the Graveyard, a folksong Second Spring’) is a poetic expression organ version of the Prélude, fugue et Wilms (1772-1847) is best known as the de travers by Erik Satie (1866-1925) Ron Ford (1959) is one of the oldest concert encore. works by the Czech composer Leoš arr. Jelte Althuis beginning of the musical voyage of settled in the Netherlands throughout in 1764. published his collection of violin sonatas, 2003) has found its way onto many Venosa (1566-1613) since its inception from his home state of Vermont. of Chinese nostalgia; ‘second spring’ variation by César Franck (1822-1890) composer of Wien Neêrlandsch bloed, is Calefax’s most recent discovery. works in Calefax’s repertoire and a Janáček (1854-1928), all arranged by Introduzione teatrale Op. 4, no. 1 CÉSAR FRANCK (1822 – 1890) LEOŠ JANÁČEK (1854 – 1928) the world’s first reed quintet. While the centuries. The idea for this theme Op. 5, in 1700, Corelli’s fame extended Calefax concerts as a mellow but is hardly surprising: these evocative Muhly says: ‘The tension between the refers to the Hui Spring in the city of for reed quintet. The work opens with a which from 1817 until 1932 served as the Saxophonist Raaf Hekkema arranged steadfast companion through the bassoonist Alban Wesly. ‘The stirring 1 Allegro 1. 40 arr. Jelte Althuis arr. Alban Wesly many CDs are chronicles by design, for came from bass clarinettist Jelte Althuis. throughout Western Europe. The twelfth moving encore. Arranger Jelte Althuis: five-voice gems planted the seed in the sweetness of folk tunes and the content Wuxi, which is said to be the source of melody that Althuis describes as ‘one of country’s first national anthem. Wilms this work for the group’s 2017 national years. Ford, who now lives in The Hague, keyboard cycle On an Overgrown Path 2 Allegro 1. 57 Prélude, fugue et variation 17 Zdenka Variations 8. 44 instance focusing on a single composer, ‘The Dutch are proud of their influence and final sonata of this collection is an ‘Whenever I hear Nina Simone, I am then-youthful, inquisitive students for of their lyrics has always fascinated the finest tea-making water in China, the most beautiful in the music literature’. left Germany for Amsterdam at the tour of the programme More Moving composed a three-movement work was a logical first choice: they were 3 Presto 1. 56 9 Prélude 3. 06 this recording offers a vivid collection on the rest of the world, but my focus extensive set of variations on La Folia, struck by the combination of her the polyphonic thinking that typifies me. I first encountered this tune in an and the birthplace of composer Abing Following a brief fugue, an ostensibly new age of nineteen, and would play a key Music, which featured brilliant visuals by called ‘Variations & Motet’ for string written with the harmonium—a wind 10 Interlude 0. 31 JOSQUIN DES PREZ (ca. 1450 – 1521) of gems from Calefax’s repertoire and was just the opposite: the influence one of Europe’s oldest known dance unique vocal qualities and her piano Calefax’s fundamental approach. This extraordinary, fragile recording, made (1893-1950). In the 1940s, Abing (also piece starts, but this turns out to be the role in Dutch musical life for the rest the Dutch video artist Jaap Drupsteen. orchestra in 1983, during his final year of instrument, after all—in mind. Later ARCANGELO CORELLI (1653 – 1713) 11 Fugue & Variation 5. 54 arr. Lucas van Helsdingen underscores the ensemble’s affinity with of foreign composers on musical life themes. It was Corelli’s effervescent, playing. Especially the recordings from recording is likewise a tribute to the in 1962 by the folk singer Margaret known as Hua Yanjun) was a well-known, softly-sparkling accompaniment to the of his life. Far more brilliant than the Hekkema: ‘Drupsteen is a wizard when studies in the U.S. The piece eventually came In the Mist and Zdenka Variations. arr. Raaf Hekkema 18 Nymphes des bois 4. 36 music from all ages. in the Netherlands. While researching virtuosic language that appealed to her early years... she’s not a paragon early-music teachers (in particular Jan MacArthur. In my version the melody politically engaged street musician in return of the melody from the Prélude. A anthem is his Symphony No. 4, from it comes to visualizing musical patterns. made its way to the legendary Ricciotti These variations are named after 4 Variations on La Folia Op. 5, no. 12 10. 48 JOHANN WILHELM WILMS (1772 – 1847) repertoire for this programme, I the music’s arranger Raaf Hekkema. of perfection, but she’s inimitable Nuchelmans and Paul Van Nevel) who appears throughout the piece, but the Wuxi. A master of the erhu, a two- memory of Althuis illustrates the gripping which Jelte Althuis arranged the Rondo He prefers to work with pulsating music, Ensemble, whose members at the time Janáček’s future wife Zdenka Schulzová, arr. Jelte Althuis Total playing time: 70. 08 These notes give the listener a behind- stumbled across this piece by Pietro ‘Corelli’s version is, of course, quite well nonetheless. Additionally, Simone inspired the young Calefax musicians in variations become increasingly dark.’ string, small-bodied instrument, he beauty of this opening melody. ‘I heard for reed quintet in 2012. ‘Like Locatelli, and to achieve the maximum variation included Raaf Hekkema and Alban for whom he wrote the work in 1880 NINA SIMONE (1933 – 2003) 12 Rondo from Sinfonia a grand orchestre no. 4 5. 51 the-scenes peek into the evolution Locatelli, the Italian composer who known—so it’s not really a “hidden” had an affinity with Bach, which the early 1990s. performed Er Quan Ying Yue, the work this piece performed by four clarinets at I discovered Wilms during my search in this programme I went in search of Wesly. The Ricciotti ‘street orchestra’ at the age of 26 as a student of piano arr. Jelte Althuis of the arrangements and Calefax’s made Amsterdam his adopted home. gem—but since we are unlikely to devote comes through in the counterpoint For this recording, Calefax decided to that would bring him perpetual fame. In the first chamber music concert I ever for “new Dutch” composers. While pre-‘minimalist’ music with a pulse. I was founded in 1970 by Jur Naessens, and composition in Leipzig. We chose 5 For All We Know 4. 04 ERIK SATIE (1866 – 1925) modus operandi. And this CD likewise What a discovery! It was an obvious an entire CD to Corelli in the near accompaniment of For all we know. LOOK FOR ME reposition the microphones somewhat, Ivar Berix this arrangement, by Oliver Boekhorn, attended. I thought it was beautiful, and arranging the work I was struck by his put a notice on my Facebook page, and who in the late 1980s also managed to include it on the present CD because arr. Raaf Hekkema documents the quintet’s own rich choice as the opening number for that future, this marvellous piece deserves Here, the tune is ‘sung’ by Raaf Clarinetist Ivar Berix curated a to accentuate the work’s layers. Berix: the melody is taken by the Cor Anglais, never forgot the music—without knowing craftsmanship. Form, ideas, transitions: thanks to a response from pianist Reinier Calefax. With its refreshing stage it is the shortest as well as being the CARLO GESUALDO (1566 – 1613) Danses de travers history: each track is a reminder of program, and now for this CD.’ a place on this disc. Corelli’s example Hekkema on the saxophone, who for Calefax concert in the Amsterdam ‘In order to isolate the melody, we ER QUAN YING YUE alto saxophone, and an Irish tin whistle, Oliver Boekhoorn what it was. Until I was a student at the there’s a good reason I discovered van Houdt, I came upon Satie’s Danses presence and brash approach to the least known. I always find it fascinating arr. Raaf Hekkema 13 I 1. 41 CALEFAX remarkable Calefax programs of past of letting loose and varying freely on this recording uses a vintage Brilhart Concertgebouw in March 2015. ‘The close-miked the saxophone (and, In a sense, this CD is also a logbook of in a tribute to the rich sound quality of Utrecht Conservatory, where in addition this music on a CD with music by de travers. I hear it as a kind of anti- music business, Ricciotti contributed to hear works from a composer’s youth. 6 Tu m’uccidi, o crudele 2. 24 14 II 1. 28 Oliver Boekhoorn – Oboe, Cor Anglais, Tin Whistle years. So if this CD chronicles anything, In 1729, at the apex of his career as a La Folia inspired many later composers, mouthpiece from the 1950s. “But theme was American music, so we later in the piece, the clarinet). The Calefax’s many concert tours. Often, the erhu. During the 2013 state visit of PRÉLUDE, FUGUE ET VARIATION to the clarinet, the organ was a great Beethoven, because that’s where he Romantic music: mellifluous gestures, unmistakably to Calefax’s present Janáček’s craftsmanship is already 15 III 2. 29 Ivar Berix – Clarinet it is the way Calefax lives and breathes— traveling violin virtuoso, Locatelli (1695- including father J.S. and son C.P.E. tomorrow may never come, for all we were keen to commission a work other instruments took a step back, to the players will track down music from the Dutch Queen Beatrix to Singapore, It took Calefax, surprisingly, a long passion of mine. One day I was given belongs!’ but practically devoid of harmonic musical mentality. For this motet, Ron evident, although this piece might more NICO MUHLY (1981) Raaf Hekkema – Soprano & Alto Saxophone every piece on this disc evokes, for the 1764) settled in Amsterdam, where he Bach, Liszt and Rachmaninov.’ know…”’ from Nico Muhly (1981), whose work create—as Muhly wanted—a halo around the host country to surprise audiences Calefax had the pleasure of performing Er time to turn its attention to the organ this piece to study, and it immediately development—an essential element of Ford was clearly inspired by Guillaume resemble Schumann and Brahms than 7 Look For Me 6. 00 Jelte Althuis – Bass Clarinet musicians, cherished memories. taught violin, ran a music publishing Hymns for private use (with soprano the melody.’ with a reed quintet version of familiar Quan Ying Yue with the renowned erhuist repertoire. Today, organ works by Bach rekindled memories of my first-ever Romanticism—resulting in unique music de Machaut, producing the kind of the later, mature Janáček.’ Alban Wesly – Bassoon house, imported Italian violin strings Jelte Althuis Lenneke Ruiten) was already part of local music. This was the case in 2007, Ling Hock Siang. and Buxtehude regularly appear on its concert.’ that makes time stand still.’ ‘hybrid’ music with which Calefax feels Raaf Hekkema

NYMPHES DES BOIS presented a tribute to a contemporary BIOGRAPHY REPERTOIRE PIONEERS Acknowledgments The inclusion of this early-Renaissance of Josquin: the visionary painter Calefax is a close-knit ensemble of five Calefax takes an adventurous approach Reed quintets have been formed work is essential to do justice to Hieronymus Bosch. reed players united by a shared passion. to presenting its programmes and throughout the world, following PRODUCTION TEAM the historical breadth of Calefax’s For more than three decades they have has an astonishingly varied repertoire Calefax’s example. The group reinforces Balance engineer & producer Nicolas Bartholomée (Little Tribeca) repertoire. The CD Calefax 600 Years, been acclaimed in the Netherlands ranging from 1100 to the present day. its pioneering role by publishing sheet Sound engineer, editing & mastering Ignace Hauville (Little Tribeca) What we stand for: released in 2000, contains numerous and abroad for their virtuosic playing, They perform their own arrangements music of its own arrangements under works by Johannes Ockeghem, brilliant arrangements and innovative and newly commissioned compositions the name Calefax Edition. Calefax Liner notes Alban Wesly | Translation Jonathan Reeder including Mort, tu as navré, a lament stage presentation. They are the for the unique combination of oboe, pushes the boundaries, creating an Photography Jochem Sanders | Cover design Jowan de Haan on the death of his teacher Gilles inventors of a completely new genre: the clarinet, saxophone, bass clarinet inspirational laboratory with its annual Cover photo Lotte van Dijck | Product design Joost de Boo The Power of Classical Music Binchois. Ockeghem in turn died in reed quintet. They provide inspiration and bassoon. Calefax is open to the PAN-festival: a colourful potpourri Product management Kasper van Kooten PENTATONE believes in the power of classical music and is invested in the 1497, and the vast number of laments to young wind players from all over the influence of world music, jazz and of musical exploits, with surprising philosophy behind it: we are convinced that refined music is one of the most written to commemorate his death are world who follow in their footsteps. improvisation as a result of countless excursions into other artistic disciplines This album was recorded in the Doopsgezinde Kerk, Haarlem, from 31 January important wellsprings of culture and essential to human development. a good indication of his popularity as Calefax can be defined as a classical international tours and collaborations and a composers’ competition. Calefax until 2 February 2017 a singer, composer, mentor and man. ensemble with a pop mentality. with all kinds of musicians. These has released 17 CDs that have all earned True Artistic Expression One of these is Nymphes des bois by have included the pianist Jean-Yves critical acclaim from the international We hold the acoustic tastes and musical preferences of our artists in high regard, Josquin Des Prez (c. 1450-1521). In “Calefax – five extremely gifted Dutch Thibaudet, singers Nora Fischer press. Calefax publishes sheet music of its own arrangements for reed quintet under and these play a central role from the start to the end of every recording project. Sit back and enjoy 1988, founding Calefax member Lucas gents who almost made the reed and Cora Burggraaf, trumpeter Eric the name Calefax Edition. Scores and parts of all arrangements on this album This ranges from repertoire selection and recording technology to choosing cover van Helsdingen arranged the work quintet seem the best musical format Vloeimans, violinist Liza Ferschtman, “Incredible […] almost everything are available in the Calefax webshop: www.calefax.com art and other visual assets for the booklet. for reed quintet, and after a hiatus of on the planet.” clarinettist Kinan Azmeh and the Calefax touches turns to gold.” many years it has once again found Nederlands Kamerkoor to name just a Sound Excellence its way into the active repertoire, – The Times few. Calefax also regularly joins forces – De Telegraaf, Thiemo Wind PENTATONE stands for premium quality. The musical interpretations delivered as part of the project The garden of with artists from other disciplines, such PENTATONE TEAM by our artists reach new standards in our recordings. Recorded with the most earthly delights. Here, Calefax and as theatre maker Boukje Schweigman Vice President A&R Renaud Loranger | Director Simon M. Eder | A&R Manager powerful and nuanced audio technologies, they are presented to you in the most stage director Annechien Koerselman Alban Wesly and video artist Jaap Drupsteen. Kate Rockett | Marketing & PR Silvia Pietrosanti | Distribution Veronica Neo luxurious, elegant products. TRACK INFORMATION LINER NOTES ABOUT CALEFAX ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

RON FORD (1959) arr. Raaf Hekkema 16 Motet 1. 51

LEOŠ JANÁČEK (1854 – 1928) arr. Alban Wesly 17 Zdenka Variations 8. 44

JOSQUIN DES PREZ (ca. 1450 – 1521) arr. Lucas van Helsdingen

18 Nymphes des bois 4. 36 ←

← Total playing time: 70. 08

CALEFAX Oliver Boekhoorn – Oboe, Cor Anglais, Tin Whistle Ivar Berix – Clarinet Raaf Hekkema – Soprano & Alto Saxophone Jelte Althuis – Bass Clarinet Alban Wesly – Bassoon

HIDDEN GEMS INTRODUZIONE TEATRALE and conducted an orchestra, whose VARIATIONS ON LA FOLIA You’re holding Calefax’s newest CD In 2012/13, Calefax devoted a concert repertoire included his own works. He One of Locatelli’s teachers was — eighteen and counting, since the program to foreign composers who died at his home, Prinsengracht 506, Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713). When he beginning of the musical voyage of settled in the Netherlands throughout in 1764. published his collection of violin sonatas, the world’s first reed quintet. While the centuries. The idea for this theme Op. 5, in 1700, Corelli’s fame extended many CDs are chronicles by design, for came from bass clarinettist Jelte Althuis. throughout Western Europe. The twelfth instance focusing on a single composer, ‘The Dutch are proud of their influence and final sonata of this collection is an this recording offers a vivid collection on the rest of the world, but my focus extensive set of variations on La Folia, of gems from Calefax’s repertoire and was just the opposite: the influence one of Europe’s oldest known dance underscores the ensemble’s affinity with of foreign composers on musical life themes. It was Corelli’s effervescent,

music from all ages. in the Netherlands. While researching virtuosic language that appealed to repertoire for this programme, I the music’s arranger Raaf Hekkema. ← ← These notes give the listener a behind- stumbled across this piece by Pietro ‘Corelli’s version is, of course, quite well the-scenes peek into the evolution Locatelli, the Italian composer who known—so it’s not really a “hidden” of the arrangements and Calefax’s made Amsterdam his adopted home. gem—but since we are unlikely to devote modus operandi. And this CD likewise What a discovery! It was an obvious an entire CD to Corelli in the near documents the quintet’s own rich choice as the opening number for that future, this marvellous piece deserves history: each track is a reminder of program, and now for this CD.’ a place on this disc. Corelli’s example remarkable Calefax programs of past of letting loose and varying freely on years. So if this CD chronicles anything, In 1729, at the apex of his career as a La Folia inspired many later composers, it is the way Calefax lives and breathes— traveling violin virtuoso, Locatelli (1695- including father J.S. and son C.P.E. every piece on this disc evokes, for the 1764) settled in Amsterdam, where he Bach, Liszt and Rachmaninov.’ musicians, cherished memories. taught violin, ran a music publishing house, imported Italian violin strings Jelte Althuis

FOR ALL WE KNOW TU M’UCCIDI, O CRUDELE our repertoire. The new piece, entitled In recent years, For all we know in The fact that Calefax has performed Look for Me, is a stylized reworking of the version by Nina Simone (1933- the madrigals of Carlo Gesualdo da Mother in the Graveyard, a folksong 2003) has found its way onto many Venosa (1566-1613) since its inception from his home state of Vermont. Calefax concerts as a mellow but is hardly surprising: these evocative Muhly says: ‘The tension between the moving encore. Arranger Jelte Althuis: five-voice gems planted the seed in the sweetness of folk tunes and the content ‘Whenever I hear Nina Simone, I am then-youthful, inquisitive students for of their lyrics has always fascinated struck by the combination of her the polyphonic thinking that typifies me. I first encountered this tune in an unique vocal qualities and her piano Calefax’s fundamental approach. This extraordinary, fragile recording, made playing. Especially the recordings from recording is likewise a tribute to the in 1962 by the folk singer Margaret

her early years... she’s not a paragon early-music teachers (in particular Jan MacArthur. In my version the melody of perfection, but she’s inimitable Nuchelmans and Paul Van Nevel) who appears throughout the piece, but the ← ← nonetheless. Additionally, Simone inspired the young Calefax musicians in variations become increasingly dark.’ had an affinity with Bach, which the early 1990s. comes through in the counterpoint For this recording, Calefax decided to accompaniment of For all we know. LOOK FOR ME reposition the microphones somewhat, Ivar Berix Here, the tune is ‘sung’ by Raaf Clarinetist Ivar Berix curated a to accentuate the work’s layers. Berix: Hekkema on the saxophone, who for Calefax concert in the Amsterdam ‘In order to isolate the melody, we ER QUAN YING YUE this recording uses a vintage Brilhart Concertgebouw in March 2015. ‘The close-miked the saxophone (and, In a sense, this CD is also a logbook of mouthpiece from the 1950s. “But theme was American music, so we later in the piece, the clarinet). The Calefax’s many concert tours. Often, tomorrow may never come, for all we were keen to commission a work other instruments took a step back, to the players will track down music from know…”’ from Nico Muhly (1981), whose work create—as Muhly wanted—a halo around the host country to surprise audiences Hymns for private use (with soprano the melody.’ with a reed quintet version of familiar Lenneke Ruiten) was already part of local music. This was the case in 2007,

the first time Calefax toured China. Er concert programs, but Jelte Althuis took RONDO Quan Ying Yue (‘Moon Reflected in the the first step in 2014 in arranging the In the Netherlands, Johann Wilhelm Second Spring’) is a poetic expression organ version of the Prélude, fugue et Wilms (1772-1847) is best known as the of Chinese nostalgia; ‘second spring’ variation by César Franck (1822-1890) composer of Wien Neêrlandsch bloed, refers to the Hui Spring in the city of for reed quintet. The work opens with a which from 1817 until 1932 served as the Wuxi, which is said to be the source of melody that Althuis describes as ‘one of country’s first national anthem. Wilms the finest tea-making water in China, the most beautiful in the music literature’. left Germany for Amsterdam at the and the birthplace of composer Abing Following a brief fugue, an ostensibly new age of nineteen, and would play a key (1893-1950). In the 1940s, Abing (also piece starts, but this turns out to be the role in Dutch musical life for the rest known as Hua Yanjun) was a well-known, softly-sparkling accompaniment to the of his life. Far more brilliant than the

politically engaged street musician in return of the melody from the Prélude. A anthem is his Symphony No. 4, from Wuxi. A master of the erhu, a two- memory of Althuis illustrates the gripping which Jelte Althuis arranged the Rondo ← ← string, small-bodied instrument, he beauty of this opening melody. ‘I heard for reed quintet in 2012. ‘Like Locatelli, performed Er Quan Ying Yue, the work this piece performed by four clarinets at I discovered Wilms during my search that would bring him perpetual fame. In the first chamber music concert I ever for “new Dutch” composers. While this arrangement, by Oliver Boekhorn, attended. I thought it was beautiful, and arranging the work I was struck by his the melody is taken by the Cor Anglais, never forgot the music—without knowing craftsmanship. Form, ideas, transitions: alto saxophone, and an Irish tin whistle, Oliver Boekhoorn what it was. Until I was a student at the there’s a good reason I discovered in a tribute to the rich sound quality of Utrecht Conservatory, where in addition this music on a CD with music by the erhu. During the 2013 state visit of PRÉLUDE, FUGUE ET VARIATION to the clarinet, the organ was a great Beethoven, because that’s where he the Dutch Queen Beatrix to Singapore, It took Calefax, surprisingly, a long passion of mine. One day I was given belongs!’ Calefax had the pleasure of performing Er time to turn its attention to the organ this piece to study, and it immediately Quan Ying Yue with the renowned erhuist repertoire. Today, organ works by Bach rekindled memories of my first-ever Ling Hock Siang. and Buxtehude regularly appear on its concert.’

DANSES DE TRAVERS MOTET right at home. The Motet has been ZDENKA VARIATIONS Of all the music on this CD, the Danses The Motet by the American composer played dozens of times as a Calefax Calafax’s repertoire includes three de travers by Erik Satie (1866-1925) Ron Ford (1959) is one of the oldest concert encore. works by the Czech composer Leoš is Calefax’s most recent discovery. works in Calefax’s repertoire and a Janáček (1854-1928), all arranged by Saxophonist Raaf Hekkema arranged steadfast companion through the bassoonist Alban Wesly. ‘The stirring this work for the group’s 2017 national years. Ford, who now lives in The Hague, keyboard cycle On an Overgrown Path tour of the programme More Moving composed a three-movement work was a logical first choice: they were Music, which featured brilliant visuals by called ‘Variations & Motet’ for string written with the harmonium—a wind the Dutch video artist Jaap Drupsteen. orchestra in 1983, during his final year of instrument, after all—in mind. Later Hekkema: ‘Drupsteen is a wizard when studies in the U.S. The piece eventually came In the Mist and Zdenka Variations.

it comes to visualizing musical patterns. made its way to the legendary Ricciotti These variations are named after He prefers to work with pulsating music, Ensemble, whose members at the time Janáček’s future wife Zdenka Schulzová, ← ← and to achieve the maximum variation included Raaf Hekkema and Alban for whom he wrote the work in 1880 in this programme I went in search of Wesly. The Ricciotti ‘street orchestra’ at the age of 26 as a student of piano pre-‘minimalist’ music with a pulse. I was founded in 1970 by Jur Naessens, and composition in Leipzig. We chose put a notice on my Facebook page, and who in the late 1980s also managed to include it on the present CD because thanks to a response from pianist Reinier Calefax. With its refreshing stage it is the shortest as well as being the van Houdt, I came upon Satie’s Danses presence and brash approach to the least known. I always find it fascinating de travers. I hear it as a kind of anti- music business, Ricciotti contributed to hear works from a composer’s youth. Romantic music: mellifluous gestures, unmistakably to Calefax’s present Janáček’s craftsmanship is already but practically devoid of harmonic musical mentality. For this motet, Ron evident, although this piece might more development—an essential element of Ford was clearly inspired by Guillaume resemble Schumann and Brahms than Romanticism—resulting in unique music de Machaut, producing the kind of the later, mature Janáček.’ that makes time stand still.’ ‘hybrid’ music with which Calefax feels Raaf Hekkema

NYMPHES DES BOIS presented a tribute to a contemporary The inclusion of this early-Renaissance of Josquin: the visionary painter work is essential to do justice to Hieronymus Bosch. the historical breadth of Calefax’s repertoire. The CD Calefax 600 Years, released in 2000, contains numerous works by Johannes Ockeghem, including Mort, tu as navré, a lament on the death of his teacher Gilles Binchois. Ockeghem in turn died in

1497, and the vast number of laments written to commemorate his death are ← ← a good indication of his popularity as a singer, composer, mentor and man. One of these is Nymphes des bois by Josquin Des Prez (c. 1450-1521). In 1988, founding Calefax member Lucas van Helsdingen arranged the work for reed quintet, and after a hiatus of many years it has once again found its way into the active repertoire, as part of the project The garden of earthly delights. Here, Calefax and stage director Annechien Koerselman Alban Wesly

BIOGRAPHY REPERTOIRE PIONEERS Calefax is a close-knit ensemble of five Calefax takes an adventurous approach Reed quintets have been formed reed players united by a shared passion. to presenting its programmes and throughout the world, following For more than three decades they have has an astonishingly varied repertoire Calefax’s example. The group reinforces been acclaimed in the Netherlands ranging from 1100 to the present day. its pioneering role by publishing sheet and abroad for their virtuosic playing, They perform their own arrangements music of its own arrangements under brilliant arrangements and innovative and newly commissioned compositions the name Calefax Edition. Calefax stage presentation. They are the for the unique combination of oboe, pushes the boundaries, creating an inventors of a completely new genre: the clarinet, saxophone, bass clarinet inspirational laboratory with its annual reed quintet. They provide inspiration and bassoon. Calefax is open to the PAN-festival: a colourful potpourri

to young wind players from all over the influence of world music, jazz and of musical exploits, with surprising world who follow in their footsteps. improvisation as a result of countless excursions into other artistic disciplines ← ← Calefax can be defined as a classical international tours and collaborations and a composers’ competition. Calefax ensemble with a pop mentality. with all kinds of musicians. These has released 17 CDs that have all earned have included the pianist Jean-Yves critical acclaim from the international “Calefax – five extremely gifted Dutch Thibaudet, singers Nora Fischer press. gents who almost made the reed and Cora Burggraaf, trumpeter Eric quintet seem the best musical format Vloeimans, violinist Liza Ferschtman, “Incredible […] almost everything on the planet.” clarinettist Kinan Azmeh and the Calefax touches turns to gold.” Nederlands Kamerkoor to name just a – The Times few. Calefax also regularly joins forces – De Telegraaf, Thiemo Wind with artists from other disciplines, such as theatre maker Boukje Schweigman and video artist Jaap Drupsteen.

Acknowledgments

PRODUCTION TEAM Balance engineer & producer Nicolas Bartholomée (Little Tribeca) Sound engineer, editing & mastering Ignace Hauville (Little Tribeca) What we stand for:

Liner notes Alban Wesly | Translation Jonathan Reeder Photography Jochem Sanders | Cover design Jowan de Haan Cover photo Lotte van Dijck | Product design Joost de Boo The Power of Classical Music Product management Kasper van Kooten PENTATONE believes in the power of classical music and is invested in the

philosophy behind it: we are convinced that refined music is one of the most This album was recorded in the Doopsgezinde Kerk, Haarlem, from 31 January important wellsprings of culture and essential to human development. ← ← until 2 February 2017 True Artistic Expression We hold the acoustic tastes and musical preferences of our artists in high regard, Calefax publishes sheet music of its own arrangements for reed quintet under and these play a central role from the start to the end of every recording project. the name Calefax Edition. Scores and parts of all arrangements on this album This ranges from repertoire selection and recording technology to choosing cover are available in the Calefax webshop: www.calefax.com art and other visual assets for the booklet.

Sound Excellence PENTATONE stands for premium quality. The musical interpretations delivered PENTATONE TEAM by our artists reach new standards in our recordings. Recorded with the most Vice President A&R Renaud Loranger | Director Simon M. Eder | A&R Manager powerful and nuanced audio technologies, they are presented to you in the most Kate Rockett | Marketing & PR Silvia Pietrosanti | Distribution Veronica Neo luxurious, elegant products.

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Sit back and enjoy