When Arnold Schoenberg created the ‘Verein für musikalische Privataufführungen’ (Society for Private Musical Performances) in 1918, a new genre came into being. The lack of a big orchestra necessitated downsized versions of full-fledged orchestral works. These transcriptions for single strings and single woodwinds owe their characteristic timbre to the subtle adding of harmonium and piano. Even now,
they are highly valued for their clear and refined palette. Prompted by these inspiring examples, Reinbert de Leeuw in his turn made his own transcriptions imbued with the same spirit. With these gems on their music stand, Het Collectief returns to the dawn of modern music.
Het Collectief & Katrien Baerts, soprano ::: Reinbert de Leeuw, conductor