The Muses
Music for Ensemble,

The Muses

InstrumentationDouble Quintet
(+ Contrabass)
Grade6
Duration12 minutes
PublisherJanssen Music
Demo Score→ Download

This composition was commissioned by wind ensemble “Helicon” on the occasion of their 40th anniversary.

From the Heliconian Muses let us begin to sing,

Who hold the great and holy mount of Helicon,

And dance on soft feet about the deep-blue spring

And the altar of the almighty son of Cronos, and,

When they have washed their tender bodies in Permessus

Or in the Horse’s Spring or Olmeius,

Make their fair, lovely dances upon highest Helicon And move with vigorous feet.

From “Theogony” by Hesiod (± 715 BC)

In ancient Greek religion and mythology, the Muses are the inspirational goddesses of literature, science and the arts. Under the care of the god Apollo, they were considered the source of the knowledge embodied in the poetry, lyric songs and myths that were related orally for centuries in ancient Greek culture.

Full Midi Demo

The nine Muses

CalliopeThe beautiful voiceMuse of the heroic epic,
philosophy and rhetoric.
EratoThe lovableMuse of the hymn, the song and the lyricism.
EuterpeThe joyfulMuse of flute playing.
PolyhymniaThe rich in chantsMuse of rhetoric and sacred songs.
KleioThe proclaimingMuse of historiography.
MelpomeneThe singingMuse of song and tragedy.
UraniaThe heavenlyMuse of Astronomy.
TerpsichoreShe who loves to danceMuse of dance and lyrical poetry.
ThaleiaThe festive & floweringMuse of comedy.

REVIVED
Music for Ensemble, Music for Wind Band, , ,

REVIVED

InstrumentationWind Band
Ensemble(s)
Grade3 – 5
Duration4 minutes
PublisherJanssen Music
Demo Score→ Download
(grade 4½)
→ Download
(grade 3)

“Revived” was commissioned by “Royal Military Wind Band Johan Willem Friso” (NL) in cooperation with “WMC Kerkrade” on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of “Muziekcentrale Adams” in Thorn (NL). 

The aim was to give the various orchestras around the world affected by the Covid19 pandemic new hope, élan and perspective in the form of a composition that could also be performed by smaller subensembles. In this way, despite the Covid19 restrictions, the orchestras can make music together again. 

“Revived” can be performed separately by;

  • Clarinet choir
  • Flutes, oboe(s), bassoon(s), saxes & contrabass
  • Brass & percussion
  • Wind band (All ensemble versions combined)

Also, the overture is available in two different levels of difficulty:

  • Grade 3
  • Grade 4/5

A short but vibrant overture that hopefully will give pleasure to many sub-ensembles and orchestras all over the world.

Der Arme Poet
Music for Wind Band,

Der Arme Poet

“Winner of The Valley Winds International Composition Competition, 2021 – Brian Messier, Director”

InstrumentationWind Band
Grade5
Duration10 minutes
PublisherJanssen Music
Demo Score→ Download
Score and Parts are not available before June 2022
Der Arme Poet (the poor poet) (FULL MIDI)

“Der Arme Poet” (painted 1839) in is the most popular painting by the German Painter Carl Spitzweg.

In 1839, Spitzweg was a beginning artist who in the 1830s lived for a long time on the top floor of a house in old Munich, from which he wrote in one of his letters: “The view is great, the roofs resemble a large mountain range, with the chimneys and attic windows like ruins and castles”.

The influence of the Biedermeier style is easily recognizable in the painting. The typical pursuit of a bourgeois bohemian existence is reflected in the various attributes. In combination with the poor environment the whole gives a parodical appearance.

The poems that were once thought to have eternal value are sacrificed to the stove as soon as they can provide some warmth.

Characteristic of the painting is the quill that holds the poet clamped between his teeth, indicating that he continues his work unrelentingly.

Above his bed you can see a hexameter scheme, which indicates the meter of verse. Next to his bed is a stack of classical books with inscriptions such as “Gradus ad Parnassum”, which represent the high ideals of the artist.

Between his fingers he seems to crush a flea, which expresses the banality of the situation.

8 Miniature Variations
Music for Ensemble,

8 Miniature Variations

InstrumentationReed Quintet
Grade4
Duration9 minutes
PublisherJanssen Music
Demo Score→ Download

8 contrasting variations on a small motif.

Composed for the “World Wide Reed Quintet Network”.

This Reed Quintet is written for the following instruments

  • Oboe (& English Horn)
  • Clarinet (Bb & A)
  • Saxophone (Alto & Soprano)
  • Bassoon
  • Bass Clarinet (& Contrabass Clarinet)

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

Night Watch Rhapsody

InstrumentationEb Clarinet & Wind Band
Eb Clarinet & Orchestra
Grade5
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:

Ein Winzer Spiel
Music for Wind Band,

Ein Winzer Spiel

InstrumentationWind Band
Grade4
Duration12 minutes
PublisherJanssen Music
Demo Score→ Download
Ein Winzer Spiel (Full Midi)

“Ein Winzer Spiel” (a winery piece for windband) was commissioned by the Family Fritz Keller (Kaiserstuhl, Germany) for the 200 year anniversary of the Winzerkapelle Oberbergen im Kaiserstuhl, in which a number of characteristic elements of the “Kaiserstuhl” wine region and the Oberbergen district are highlighted.

This suite consists of 3 contrasting parts.

1. The Kaiserstuhl

An impression of the beautiful landscape with its rich history. In the middle of this part a specific part from “Kaiserstuhl” is highlighted, namely “Die Oberbergener Bassgeige” an area around the village Oberbergen in the form of a double bass (hence the name) in which high-quality vine culture takes place.

2. The St. Mauritius Kirche

The St. Mauritius Church is an inseparable part of Oberbergen, a beacon of peace and reflection.

3. The Winzerspiele

A playful final part of this suite in which the cozy and competitive wine festivals are illustrated in the form of a Waltz. The “Oberbergener Weinlied” is added here as an additional illustrative element to the uplifting nature of this part.

75 Jaor Vreej
Music for Brass Band, Music for Fanfare Band, Music for Orchestra, Music for Piano or Organ, Music for Voices, 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)

Fiddlers’ Green
Music for Voices, Music for Wind Band,

Fiddlers’ Green

for tenor & symphonic wind-orchestra

…is the 4th part from “→ Remount” and is based on the cavalry poem.

Fiddlers’ Green

Halfway down the trail to Hell,
In a shady meadow green
Are the Souls of all dead Troopers camped,
Near a good old-time canteen.
And this eternal resting place
Is known as Fiddlers’ Green.

Marching past, straight through to Hell
The Infantry are seen
Accompanied by the Engineers, Artillery and Marines,
For none but the shades of Cavalrymen
Dismount at Fiddler’s Green.

Though some go curving down the trail 
To seek a warmer scene.
No Trooper ever gets to Hell
Ere he’s emptied his canteen.
And so rides back to drink again
With friends at Fiddlers’ Green.

Demo score:

Fiddlers’ Green – DEMODownload