My stay in Estonia (2019) influenced my musical language profoundly. That's why I want to write about this particular piece: a Conversation with God. Not only because it is a turning point in my style, but also because it plays an important role and impacts my life as a composer greatly.
The first time this piece was perfomed, already has a special meaning to me. It got performed in the Cathedral of our Lady,Antwerp by the amazing Ataneres Ensemble. Thanks to Peter Van de Velde (musical director and organist in the cathedral) and Wim Spaepen (manager and violinist in Ataneres Ensemble) for making this possible.
The video that came out on Youtube had quite a bit of succes and I got a lot of positive feedback. The Ataneres Ensemble also programmed this music in a few of their concerts later. This was a confidence boost for me and confirmed that this is the kind of music I want to write.
My dear friend Eladio Barreto Aguilar, I got to know during my stay in Tallinn, asked me to perfom this piece in Tenerife too. I was honored and very happy. The piece got performed by the Mons Igneus Orchestra, conducted by Eladio himsef, on the main island of Tenerife and in La Gomera. I had the privilege to attend this concert and spend my holiday there in the summer of 2021.
Now, Eladio asked me to perform new music composed by me in the Estonian Acadamy of Music and Theatre, Tallinn. There, they will perform my brand new piece: Music for String Orchestra. I am really looking forward to hearing this amazing people play my music. Stay tuned for a recording on my channel.
In the next concerts by the Mons Igneus Orchestra this coming summer, Eladio asked me to write yet another piece. This time I have the honor to write a "Cello Concerto" for the amazing cellist Jairo Rodríguez Visuerte and the string orchestra. It has always been a dream to write a "Cello Concerto", being a cellist myself. So thank you so much, Eladio, for giving me this opportunity.
The Ataneres Ensemble also wanted to play new music by me, so for their next performing-season I'm writing a "Violin Concerto" named IGAVESTI, which is the Estonian word for Forever. This piece will be perfomed along other great compositions, on the next concert tour by the ensemble in September 2022.
All this great opportunities derived from the premiere of my piece: a Conversation with God, in May 2021. I am very thankful and happy people want to perform and listen to my music more and more. I can't explain how important this is, being a composer, seeing your music is actually coming to life and having a meaning in other peoples lives. This is why I wanted to be a composer, to touch and inspire other people. This projects give me a huge confidence boost and make me hungry for more.
You could say it is a coincidence all my new projects are compositions for string orchestra but it is, at the moment, my favourite medium and I'm more than happy to write for strings.
I'll keep you updated for concerts, recordings and videos of the projects I just wrote about in the near future. For now, I am composing. I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
Love,
Lucas R. Van Vlierberghe
