The strings around saturn
Max Knigge
The Ruysdael Kwartet commissioned 25 composers, resulting in a diverse collection reflecting Dutch composition at the start of the 21st century. Many composers were inspired by Ruysdael, but pieces like The Strings Around Saturn focus on space and stars. The collection spans a variety of styles, including lyrical elements, minimal music, microtonality, jazz, and world music.
The Ruysdael Kwartet invited 25 composers to create a commissioned piece, resulting in a vibrant snapshot of Dutch composition at the beginning of the 21st century. The quartet gave the composers complete freedom in terms of style and theme. But how does one approach such carte blanche? How do you express yourself within just a few minutes? It's striking that many composers chose the painter Ruysdael as their theme, but there are also recurring themes like space and stars, as seen in the piece The Strings Around Saturn. The collection features a diverse array of styles, including lyrical elements, minimal music, 17th-century influences, microtonality, jazz, world music, and more, making this selection of works rich and varied.
