The Treasure of Utrecht – Who is Louis Andriessen?

On Sunday 28 June, the closing event of the 150th anniversary of HKU Utrechts Conservatorium will take place: a musical parade from Domplein to Mariaplaats and a grand open-air concert in front of the conservatoire on Mariaplaats. The event is a musical tribute to two great Utrecht composers: Jacob van Eyck – whose music will be performed during the parade – and Louis Andriessen, whose 1970 work De Schat van Scharlaken Rackham will be given a revival performance.

This afternoon, we will be paying tribute to Louis Andriessen (1939–2021). Who was this composer, born and raised in Utrecht? What musical family did he come from, and how did that family shape him? How did he develop as a composer, and what significance did he have for modern classical music, not only in the Netherlands but also worldwide? These and other questions will be explored this afternoon.

The afternoon consists of two parts: a lecture on the life and work of Louis Andriessen and a round-table discussion between a number of experts on Andriessen’s work, including Monica Germino (Andriessen’s widow and a leading American-Dutch violinist) and Wiek Heijmans (lecturer at Musician 3.0 and artistic coordinator of De Schat van Utrecht).

During this afternoon, you will learn more about Andriessen’s vision of music and the art of composition, the social significance he attributed to music, and the way in which he broke away from traditional classical conventions; through, for example, graphic scores and the use of voice and movement, he inspired musicians of all levels, backgrounds and ages to create and interpret new music. You will, of course, also hear more about the background to the work he wrote in 1970 on commission from the City of Utrecht for the music school of the time, which is set to have its revival premiere on Sunday 28 June: De Schat van Scharlaken Rackham.

Admission is free; please register in advance at jubileum.uc@hku.nl.

The Treasure of Utrecht – Who is Louis Andriessen?
Monday 30 March / 3.00–5.00 pm
HKU Utrecht Conservatory, Fentener van Vlissingen Hall
Mariaplaats 27, Utrecht