BIMlab

Yesterday I went to the BIMlab. An initiative that uNifies musicians that you would normally not put together.

Video

Jan Menu and Jodi Gilbert invited two other musicans, Maarten Ornstein and Joost Buis to play two sets with them. The concert was not in the hall itself, but the cafe. They played in the middle with a tremendous view of the IJ and the Station.

The musicians needed the first set to warm up and feel the possibilities. The second set was something new, something that was not the sum of the four musicians.

I had a great night. Thanks guys.

Remy van Kesteren and Ties Mellema in Spiegelzaal Radio

Right at the start after the talk by Hans van den Boom

Radio 4

Riots in Ferguson, photography by Philip Montgomery

These photos are incredible.

Business week

Inspiration, originality and above all, great music making

This was Sax14 for me.

What an amazing festival Sax14 was. So many great artists, all on the saxophone, united in the Amsterdam Muziekgebouw. I tried to go to as many concerts as I could, but some I had to pass, due to my own activities and in the end, because I was way too tired!

The Muziekgebouw was bursting with saxophone, with music. Every 15 minutes there seemed to start something else. Either in one of the halls or outside them.

I had the honor to play the opening concert with ASKO-Schoenberg, Aurelia and Artvark Saxophone Quartets. Arno Bornkamp, the artistic leader of the festival asked me to play Donatoni’s ‘Hot’, one of his favorite pieces he told me a few times: the pressure was on :-)

I had mixed feelings after my performance. The piece is very hard and very fast, there’s hardly time to think and reflect during playing. And afterwards only the moments that I wasn’t sure about stayed with me. I had to give a few days. Luckily the Volkskrant wrote a very positive line about my performance. After hearing the radio recording I too could be satisfied.

After me, the Aurelia Saxophone Quartet played JacobTV’s Tipperary Concerto. I only heard this piece during the rehearsal and it was a lovely piece which was played extremely well. Only a short time ago the Aurelia changed their concertmaster and baritoneplayer, but the new Aurelia Quartet seems like they have playing together for years now.

But the thing that I wanted to talk about is the way this festival combined forces, sometimes very unexpected. I was so disappointed I could not be at the James Carter/Vincent David and Lars Mlekusch concert. But as I understand this was a gem in the program. And who would have thought this would be successful combination. Sax14 apparently :-)

Branford Marsalis is someone who is interested in many musical styles, and Sax14 got a hold of him for a recital at the BIMHuis (where I was not present either…), a masterclass and a concert with the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra. Branford put the classical saxophone on the map and this is great for the classical saxophone world. But Sax14 went one step further and just erased the borders between the genres.

Imagine a festival where Vincent David plays his Boulez, Mlekusch his Tenney, Branford Marsalis plays a jazz recital, all level saxophonists play together in a mega saxophone orchestra and that is closed off by Candy Dulfer. Well, it came true.

Sax14 made me think, gave me inspiration.

Sax14, some videos and opinions

I was present as audience and artist at the international Sax14 Festival.

My good friend tenorsaxophonist Niels Bijl gave a recital at the BIMhuis, Hollands nicest concert hall. And Niels played great. He played new pieces written for him interchanged with Telemann Fantasies. To be honest, I liked the Telemann Fantasies the best. Niels was at his best here. I heard him play these Fantasies several times and this time they were the most free and expressive.

Niels bought a tenor mark VI a while ago and I heard him before on this instrument, it sounded absolutely marvelous! I thought he played this instrument during his recital. Everything I heard confirmed the Mark VI. But it turned out to be his old series II. How wrong could I be!

Jan Menu's piece Little Bird (Depressed) deserves special attention, what a beautiful piece! as well as Jabra Latham – The second Thing, which was a great minimal piece. It was bases on a popular tune by Roxette. But I could never have guessed. This might inspire me to finally compose something myself,

The organisation did  great job programming. The concerts were very interesting and highly original. A great mix as well, but it's a shame this concert wasn't packed!

Niels Bijl video

The Amsterdam Conservatory Ensemble The Ebonit Saxophone Quartet is an ensemble I already know as a judge for a saxophone quartet competition in Den Bosch. They make a point of playing everything by heart, which is extremely effective. 

As I wrote before on this blog: the Ebonit is one of the newest and most promising quartets around. I heard them before at the Den Bosch saxophone quartet competition and I was blown away. And I still am. What a great ensemble playing, and everything by heart... Wow!

Just one little thing that is probably highly subjective: when they played for the radio, their energy is aimed towards the middle of the ensemble, and sometimes it could be aimed more outward.

Ebonit Video

Artvark Saxophone Quartet was a revelation. I was so pleased to meet them. I knew Rolf Delfos and Bart Wirtz already from other groups (the Houdinis are my youth heroes!). Artvark was great, original, fantastic tunes (the Turkish quarter tones one was a highlight). They also did a great job in de Stijl by Andriessen.

I heard many great things about Artvark the past years. And I must say, they are very inspiring. I am fond of the sax4tet and they bring something new to the genre. By composing their tunes themselves, but also because they do not limit themselves to their own genre. They want to get beyond their comfort zone.

Artvark video

Artvark paired with ASKO-Schoenberg and Etienne Siebens in Andriessen's De Stijl. Andriessen's style is very recognizable, to some even cliche and smug. But for me, I loved it, it was very impressive. Yes, it was too long, the form wasn't too clear, but wow, this man can compose. And the execution was great as well. Bravo Artvark!

Artvark Video de Stijl

Gabriela Montero live at the Concertgebouw

Me and my girlfriend decided to go to a concert in stead of a movie as a going out night. I had mixed feelings after.

One hand I am deformed. I listen differently than my friends who are non-musicians. The audience loved the concert. Standing ovations, several times. And the concert was nice, sure. But nice, that was it. At least until the final part. On the other hand, I am also public and want to enjoy myself.

Montero started out with Brahms. I am not sure which piece, because I didn’t have a program. The first movement was absolutely really nice. It set a great atmosphere, and although I already realized that this not the concert of the year, I was glad I went. But in the second movement Montero started to play ‘emotional’, like postponing the one way way too many times. The same gesture over and over. Pearl chains of notes followed, sure, nice, virtuoso, but not enough to keep on the tip of my chair.

Again, until the final part where she started improvising. She is an absolute wonder of improvisation, I wish she did that the whole concert. I have never heard anything like it. The way she presented it now was like a sort of extra, a dessert. But this could be her main thing. She might develop a concert program in which she can improvise the whole time, maybe alternated with some classical tunes. Then I will hear a concert that is truly different and remarkable.

Although the improvisation is not my taste, it is very virtuosic and musical. I could imagine that if Montero would go one step further and dive into the depths of impressionims, Stranvinsky and jazz she would be able to give a sensational concert.

Funny thing is that also play much better when she is improvising, less hesitant, less ‘emotional’, more simple, straight forward, no unnecessary decorations, accelerando’s and ritenutos.

But I was one of the few who thought like this. The audience loved it. And don’t get me wrong, it was very good, but not enough. But she could be….!

Harrison Birtwhistle - Panic

Harrison Birtwhistle's Panic played by Ties Mellema

Ramon Lormans and Bas Wiegers with Philharmonie Zuid Nederland at the Maastricht Vrijthof

Soundcloud

Radio 1 over 'The End of Desire'

http://www.radio1.nl/item/239310-The%20End%20of%20Desire.html

The End of Desire' is tip of the day in het Parool

The End of Desire' Scene photography by Michiel Voet

Try-out 5 November @Splendor, Amsterdam

Double Premier in Den Bosch at 14:00 and 17:00 8 November

More info

Vrije Geluiden Radio, preview of 'The End of Desire'

Vrije Geluiden Radio from 33:50

News Letter November 2014 now online

News letter

Click here to apply for my news letter

Teaser for 'The End of Desire', experimental music theater performance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpGT3tA9-V8&list=UUBRr30AboYJKf-6dkz06dbg

Wow!

Prince plays Cream and more!

yeah baby! Wat speelt die man lekker gitaar, en als ie niet falset zingt heeft ie een prachtige stem!

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1267693012715

Insecure

I am insecure, yup. Never really sure of anything.

Sometimes I still doubt whether this profession is the right one for me. I told this to a good friend of mine two weeks ago and he couldn't imagine that I would doubt this. But I do. It's hard work, very hard work. And a couple of times per year I get the reward that makes up for everything: a concert where everything falls into its place. And they're rare, maximum two times a year.

And sometimes I doubt everything. If I can do this. Studying all the parts, improving myself and everything else that's also a part of making music and in the end takes up much more time than the actual playing.

I warn my students about this. Doing this profession means that you have to keep giving input the whole time.

When I decided I was going to be a professional musician my teachers in high school warned me. I had to be really good to succeed. Some even laughed and wondered what I could do with a conservatory education. And now I am here, doing all this great stuff. I proved all them wrong. But that's when the hard part starts. Keeping going....

And I am. But I do have one strong conviction that I share with my students. In life I can always go right or left. I told myself that I am going to to that direction where my heart lies, even if that means I have to stop playing.

I almost did stop. In 2008 I was severely injured and I gave myself the chance to stop playing during my recovery period. But I didn't. I even made a record with music for one handed saxophone. 

I have no discovered photography and sometimes I wonder if that wouldn't be a better career choice. But then I realize I have to do the same stuff in photography as in music if I want to be succesful. It never comes by itself.

Interesting material by Marten Postma

"It was a great pleasure for me to have original instruments of Adolphe Sax on my desk for several times. Apart from measuring them, some of these instruments were in a playable condition. Their charming character left a persuasive impression behind."

Interesting material by Marten Postma:

"Dear reader!

It was a great pleasure for me to have original instruments of Adolphe Sax on my desk for several times. Apart from measuring them, some of these instruments were in a playable condition. Their charming character left a persuasive impression behind.

Unlike many other people, who might want to obtain such an instrument for themselves, it was my idea to build an instrument with a similar bore profile, but then with a more fully equipped and more modern mechanism. The question arises whether or not we have lost 'something' in the course of history by straightening the cone and if so, at the expense of or in the favour of what?

This started a new project and a new chapter to my website, which chapter will keep close track of the developments of this project. Pages will be added, supplemented and be rewritten as the project unfolds.

But there is a beginning; keep on reading!

vriendelijke groeten,

Marten Postma

Among musicians little is known about the physics of the saxophone. 

Written as much as possible in daily language,

this site seeks to reduce the saxophone to common sense.

http://sax.mpostma.nl/"

Song Reader by Beck on Spotify

My new album: "Ties Mellema and Friends: Nora Fischer and The Four Baritones play Song Reader by Beck" is now on Spotify: spotify:album:17A3kYglkhwV7lZhEv5qwB

Vanavond in DWDD!

Ga dat zien! Met Yuri Honing, Bart Wirtz, Arno Bornkamp, Tineke Postma, Jan Menu, Maarten Hogenhuis en Ties Mellema. Wordt leuk!

DWDD

Order Ties' new CD now

Ties and Friends, with Nora Fischer and the Four Baritones

Order now Song Reader by Beck

Als het er staat... zwart op wit...

Interview Flevopost over Uitgast 2014

http://www.flevopost.nl/nieuws/lelystad/338086/over-de-grenzen-biedt-uitgast-mooi-programma.html

Victor Wooten!

One of the funkiest guys alive!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muhb8na9N0Y

One of the funkiest guys alive. I was at his concert at North Sea Jazz CLub some days ago.

And check out this TedX Video by him on music education.

TedX

Marike Jager with the Konrad Koselleck Big Band

At the Amsterdam Bimhuis

Monday nights at the Bimhuis with the KK Big Band are always great fun. I had the privilege to play with this marvelous band last year three times. One of them was with this amazing singer, Marike Jager. I always admire musicians who can give themselves over to the music.

Video

Video 

Nymphomaniac, GOSEE!

I saw Nymphomaniac yesterday. And although I did not expect a great movie, it turned out to be a great film!

Trailer

We saw it in the Movies in Amsterdam where we had a great dinner before the movie. It was a bit expensive, but the food was pure and honest, not too much salt and herbs, but well cooked and fresh and tasty ingredients.

After we went to see Nymphomaniac, just because of practical reasons. The other movies were too late or sold out.

Nymphomaniac was an experience. It is NOT a porn movie. It is a very dramatic theatrical kind of movie about a young woman who was found in a dark alley, obviously beaten up by an older man who takes her home and listens to her story.

She tells that she is a nymphomaniac, always had lots of sex and was always hunting for men. The older man compares her hunt for men with fly fishing (apparently this is Lars von Triers hobby as well).

Go see! Really!