Elementen
From YoungMusic
January 2004, aarschot
This piece has a long history. Actually, the last parts were ready in july 2003. But I had given up membership of SABAM, the belgian association for copyrights, in 2002. But then i got a notice that I was still obliged to send in my new music until the end of 2004. So I did not write any.
In 2001 I wrote 'ahua' for the schoolchoir which I conducted at that time. 'Ahua' was about water, and someone in the audience suggested I should write something about all basic elements. A few months later I started to conducting Markant, which was (and still is) a very nice experience. I decided to do a whole concert with my own music after a few years. That would be 'Elementen'.
I decided to write about all 4 elements, but each one would have a different angle. About that time, I began to develop an interest in electronic music. So the piece would be for choir with electronic sounds. I did not use live electronics back then. I was not familiar whith the concept yet.
The ouverture was written last. It consists of the main themes of the other music. The basis is one sample, borrowed from 'Propellerheads': "George, get set for a mindblowing afternoon". The 'i' of mindblowing is repeated throughout the piece, constantly changing in color by use of some filters. The music tends to get on people's nerves, which I like.
