It is a nice initiative, and gradually becoming a tradition of the Symfonieorkest Vlaanderen, to offer a classical concert during the Christmas holidays specially tailored for children. It is also commendable of parents and grandparents to introduce their young children to classical music in this way.
It is something different from K3, though those popular sing-alongs are welcome too. But through the approach of the Symfonieorkest Vlaanderen, in collaboration with the men of Die Verdammte Spielerei who use naivety and childish fantasy as their guide, children learn the broad spectrum of music in a playful manner, for classical pieces too can be presented in a fresh way. A programme for those who are young, or young at heart.
The Blue Hall of deSingel is packed to the rafters. Before the start it is extremely noisy with the many little voices telling their stories or asking questions. When the lights dim, it is suddenly pin-drop silent. In diffuse night-blue light, the musicians and conductor Martijn Dendievel (recently nominated with the Golden Label Debut of Klassiek Centraal) take the stage. The instruments are put in place or laid down and the whole group positions itself at the front of the stage. They receive thunderous and cheering applause like pop stars. The tone is set immediately. A manual rainstorm is created and everyone is invited to participate (in the corridors of deSingel this was first taught by a few musicians), first by rubbing hands together, then snapping fingers and then drumming on the chest. It sounds like a tremendous downpour, gradually fading with the movements in reverse mode.
Water becomes the red thread. The concert opens with the composition 'Big Bang' loosely based on Eric Satie. Stefaan De Winter (text & idea) from Die Verdammte Spielerei takes the audience on a journey and begins with the creation story and the formation of the oceans. Clouds form, as he lifts a large grey sack above his head. In the 'Symfonie nr. 1 The Lord of the Rings' there are heavy timpani strikes: the thunder with flashes of light, a severe storm. He makes a magic potion about water, comprehensible and tangible for the children and with a playful wink to the adults.
The text winds its way like a river, meandering in and between the various compositions. A dam, to hold back the water, is represented by unfolding a large grey cloth that ingeniously emerges from the grey cloud. His 5 companions from Die Verdammte Spielerei are jacks-of-all-trades. At the top in the middle is an opening from which water spurts out. A fine and wide blue cloth gushes out. Water must flow and goes over the heads of the audience all the way to the back of the hall. These interventions, and involving the audience in the action, makes it extra appealing for the very young.
This water spouting happens to the notes of 'De Moldau from the other side' loosely based on B. Smetana. Further performances include 'Short Ride in a Fast Machine' by J. Adams, 'Fanfare for the Common Man' by A. Copland, 'Schilderijententoonstelling deel 1' by M. Moessorgski, 'Misirlou' from the film Pulp Fiction, 'Gymnopédie nr. 2' by E. Satie, all expertly arranged by Jelle Tassyns except for two pieces arranged by Die Verdammte Spielerei themselves.
The music creates small ripples, like flowing water. The story is also somewhat allegorical: the water is heavily burdened by industrialisation and environmental pollution, plastic and the like. The water wants to return to the mountains, yearns for clean and pure nature. Clouds form again… The circle is complete. The rain falls anew in the mountains as an eternal cycle. Little streams, rivers, watercourses form… The Symfonieorkest concludes with 'Spetter, Pieter, Pater' a composition by Herman van Veen.
That both young and old enjoyed the magnificent music, the visual aspects and the antics of Die Verdammte Spielerei was evident in the spontaneous, exuberant and deafening applause and happy faces. And it was abundantly clear: the musicians too thoroughly enjoyed this atypical concert.
Symfonieorkest Vlaanderen & Die Verdammte Spielerei: a bull's-eye, and there's a taste of more to come.
- WHAT: family concert 'Onnozelaars'
- WHO: Symfonieorkest Vlaanderen & Die Verdammte Spielerei
- ARRANGEMENTS: Jelle Tassyns
- WHERE & WHEN: deSingel, Sunday 5 January
- PHOTOS: © Symfonieorkest Vlaanderen, mt