First Time I Saw
Music for Orchestra,

First Time I Saw

InstrumentationGradeDurationPublisherDemo Score
Orchestra5½ 14 minutesJanssen Music→ Download

A tone poem for orchestra after a poem about the circle of life by an unknown poet.

First Time I Saw

First time I saw the water, I was a grain

First time I saw the earth, I was a human being

First time I saw the sky, I was a boy

First time I sensed fear, I was a man

First time I heard a bird’s squeal, I was an old person

When I felt pain, I was death

Then was life, I was everything

Score & Parts are available from …

Demo recording

Echo from the past
Music for Orchestra,

Echo from the past

InstrumentationOrchestra
Grade4
Duration10 minutes
PublisherJanssen Music
Demo Score→ download
Echo from the past – (Full Midi)

Composed on behalf of the Roermond Orchestra “De Symphonie”, in memory of all victims of war(s), on the occasion of 80 years of annual national commemoration in the Netherlands of the victims of the Second World War on May 4.

The work makes a musical link with the present, in which geopolitical tensions are increasing and history threatens to repeat itself.

The work will have its premiere on May 4, 2025 by the Roermond Orchestra “De Symphonie” conducted by the composer.

Score and parts;

Regalo Festivo Ouverture
Music for Orchestra,

Regalo Festivo Ouverture

InstrumentationOrchestra
Grade4
Duration8 minutes
PublisherJanssen Music
Demo Score→ Download

‘Regalo Festivo Ouverture’ is a frivolous and colourful overture for orchestra. The work was commissioned by the University Orchestra Maastricht and serves as a prelude to its concerts.

The work is freely inspired by Jan Steen’s painting “the village class”, in which the everyday chaos within a classroom can be felt.

It is also a reference to the connection with the university, where students experience their hopefully best time of their lives that eventually leads to a successful career.

In the work, the various musical themes develop into a grand apotheosis.

Night Watch Rhapsody
Music for Ensemble, Music for Instrumental Soloist, Music for Orchestra, Music for Wind Band,

Night Watch Rhapsody

InstrumentationEb Clarinet & Wind Band
Eb Clarinet & Orchestra
Eb Clarinet & Clarinet Choir
Grade5½
Duration11 minutes
PublisherJanssen Music
Demo Score (score)→ Download
Eb solo part→ Download
Night Watch Rhapsody (Full Midi)

Rembrandt’s Night Watch has already moved many people.

Whether it is the beautiful “clair-obscure” or simply the “moving” scene of Captain Frans Banninck Cocq and his men, the fact remains that the painting continues to attract you.

In this Night Watch Rhapsody I tried to translate the scene, as well as the many hues, as if the painting were being painted on the spot.

An important role is therefore reserved for the soloist on E-flat clarinet, who takes on the role of Rembrandt and, together with the orchestra – in which the orchestra does not merely take on the accompaniment – tries to bring the Night Watch to life.

This work was composed and dedicated to the E-flat clarinet soloist of the wind orchestra of the Royal Belgian Guides (Belgium), David van Maele

Version for Wind Band:

Version for Orchestra:

Version for Clarinet Choir:

75 Jaor Vreej
Music for Brass Band, Music for Choir, Music for Fanfare Band, Music for Orchestra, Music for Piano or Organ, Music for Wind Band,

75 Jaor Vreej

InstrumentationWindband & Choir
Fanfare Band & Choir
Brass Band & Choir
Orchestra & Choir
Piano & Choir
Grade3
Duration11 minutes
PublisherJanssen Music
Demo Score→ Download

75 Years of Liberation.

Based on the beautiful text (in Limburgian language) by lyricist Frans Pollux “75 Jaor Vreej”, I wrote a composition with the same title (of approx. 11 minutes) in several versions and combinations and perfomable in all possible local dialects of Limburg.

This wonderful assignment was given to me by a joint initiative of Limburgse Bond Van Muziekgezelschappen, VNK Limburg, Limburgse Bond van Tamboerkorpsen i.s.m. House for the Arts Limburg.

A very great way to contribute to the Limburg language and musical culture.

“75 Jaor Vreej” – Windband version (Full Midi Demo)

Up-Hill
Music for Orchestra, Music for Vocal Soloist,

Up-Hill

A song for soprano and orchestra freely after the poem by Christina Rosetti:

Does the road wind up-hill all the way?
Yes, to the very end.
Will the day’s journey take the whole long day?
From morn to night, my friend.

But is there for the night a resting-place?
A roof for when the slow dark hours begin.
May not the darkness hide it from my face?
You cannot miss that inn.

Shall I meet other wayfarers at night?
Those who have gone before.
Then must I knock, or call when just in sight?
They will not keep you standing at that door.

Shall I find comfort, travel-sore and weak?
Of labour you shall find the sum.
Will there be beds for me and all who seek?
Yea, beds for all who come.

Publisher: Janssen Music

Demo score: → Up-Hill – Soprano

Capriccio
Music for Orchestra, Music for Wind Band,

Capriccio

InstrumentationWind Orchestra
Orchestra
Grade6
Duration14 minutes
PublisherJanssen Music
Demo ScoreOn demand

A capriccio is a piece of music usually fairly free in form and of a lively character. The typical capriccio is one that is fast, intense, and often virtuosic in nature.

In paintings, a capriccio means especially an architectural fantasy, placing together buildings, archaeological remains and other architectural elements in fictional and often fantastical combinations, perhaps with staffage of figures. It fits under the more general term of landscape painting. It may also be used of other types of work with an element of fantasy.

For this Capriccio I was freely inspired by “Capriccio of Rome” as painted by the Italian painter Giovanni Paolo Pannini (1691-1765) in 1758.

The world first performance took place (November 2015) also in Luxembourg by the European Youth Wind Orchestra conducted by Jan Cober.

Live recording during “Contest 2019 – BBM – Veldhoven (NL)” by Harmonie L’Union Heythuysen (NL), conducted by Erik Somers.

Version for Wind Orchestra:

Version for Symphony Orchestra: