In conversation with HearAndNow's artistic director a week before kickoff
In a week, HearAndNow will burst into life again. From February 12 to 15, the festival will sound off at various locations in Amsterdam, with new music, familiar repertoire and adventurous encounters. We spoke with Emma Roijackers, founder and artistic director of HearAndNow, about this special edition én about the unexpected turn the festival took this year.
This year's festival feels different. Why is that?
“This year feels more intense,” Emma says. “And also more urgent.”
That intensity began at the turn of the year, when the Vondelkerk, HearAndNow's permanent home for years, was hit by fire. “That was a real shock. Suddenly our base fell away and we had to find new locations in a short period of time.”
Still, positivity prevailed. “The beautiful thing was: the city opened its doors. De Duif, the Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ, the Orgelpark and even The Concertgebouw offered us a place. That felt like an enormous support. It confirmed for me how carried this festival is.”
This year, for the first time, you are working with a composer in residence.
“Yes, very special,” says Emma. “I knew for some time that for the concert I was On an Adventure wanted to have a new work written for piano quintet. I already knew Camiel Jansen's music well, including his orchestral work The Foundations which was previously performed by the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra.”
That Camiel Jansen was appointed Composer of the Netherlands shortly thereafter made it extra special. “That's when everything really fell into place.”
Retrieved from Saturday, February 14 at 1:30 p.m., his Piano Quintet will have its world premiere at the Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ. Jansen himself will be present for a Q&A afterwards. “That conversation with the audience, I'm looking forward to that immensely,” he said.”
Another new feature is Night At The Movies. What was the idea behind that?
“I really wanted to merge music and image,” Emma says. “That's why we asked filmmakers Boris Peters and Gus Wickerhoff to create new films to accompany the music.”
Before intermission, two films will premiere to music by Szymanowski and Taylor/Rose. “We are taking the audience from the Australian outback to the mystical world of Szymanowski, really typical HearAndNow,” said Taylor.”
After intermission, the virtuoso Suite op. 23 by Erich Wolfgang Korngold. “Korngold made a glittering career in Hollywood and later influenced composers like John Williams. His music is so rich and cinematic that you immediately understand why he had such a huge impact. It is compelling, technically challenging and at the same time incredibly direct.”
And then there's the Festival Finale....
“For many musicians, the Small Hall of The Concertgebouw is a dream hall. That we get to close there together, with music by Ravel and Debussy, feels like a gift. I hope we can make the festival there truly festive and be able to complete together.”
What are you personally looking forward to the most?
“I can't wait,” says Emma. “To play, listen and experience the most beautiful music together again. That moment when everything comes together, that's what we do it for.”