Composition

To have carved on the days of our vanity
A sun
A ship
A star
A cornstalk

Also a few marks
From an ancient forgotten time
A child may read

Then not far from the stone
A well
Might open for wayfarers

Here is a work for poets -
Carve the runes
Then be content with silence

(George Mackay Brown – 'A Work for Poets' [1996])


Being born and raised at the Dutch seaside, my artistic output is intrinsically linked to the sea. Just 300 meters from my doorstep, there is an ever-changing and seemingly ever-constant body of water, as a daily stage to the last beams of light on the Dutch coastside. Commenting on his sea-inspired Hebrides Overture, Felix Mendelssohn once wrote: “…the whole working-out tastes more of counterpoint than of train-oil, sea-gulls, and salted cod – it should be just the other way around!” As a 'coastal composer', I agree with Mendelssohn: nearly all the themes, rhythms, harmonies, melodies etc. of my compositions have some kinship to waves, currents, tides and undertow - if not “train-oil, sea-gulls, and salted cod”. Counterpoint is just one ‘oar’ aboard the ship during exploration.

In parallel to the North Sea’s dynamics, the composition, performance and listening experience of my compositions show kinship to the monastic practice of lectio divina, an approach of deep contemplative reading. A particular musical idea is ruminated upon, while shedding new light on each of its reiterations, gradually filtering towards a musical point vierge (in the wording of the Trappist monk Thomas Merton). I take great inspiration from monastic life, monastic values and the ‘time management’ that shapes the days, weeks, months and years of monks and sisters that I have met over the years. For me, the most apt parallel for musical composition still is the act of prayer.

I studied Composition at Amsterdam Conservatoire (2006-2013) with some very inspirational teachers: Daan Manneke, Willem Jeths and Wim Henderickx, with guest lessons from Tristan Murail.
During studies, I also met the composer Johathan Harvey and discovered the works of sculptor Antony Gormley (in particular Harvey's Vivos voco, mortuos plango and Gormley's Sound II, both instigated by Winchester Cathedral). The works, philosophy, personalities and outlook of both men have inspired me deeply since.
Also, there have been many fellow musicians whose playing 'caused' work on a new composition, thanks to their unique artistry in singing, playing and/or conducting. It is this performative, living aspect of music-making that reminds a composer of the humanity of his craft.


Every composition I create is written from an ‘undertow’ of it being the last. In line with the words of the Orkney poet George Mackay Brown (an author of stern, colourful and vivid works) cited above, I try to ‘carve the runes’ so that, when completed, I can be 'content with silence'. It is an attitude to composition through an ever-conscious relationship with that silence. That probably explains a propensity towards themes of commemoration (e.g. Set me as a seal upon thine heart, Still, Two Memorials, Vues des Anges), of mourning (When David heard, Pleurants, Tears) and of closure (Canticle of Simeon, Facing Night, Prayer of John Henry Newman, Abide with me, Tenderness, Do not go gentle into that good night), as all these themes 'move' towards silence. It probably also explains a fondness for the sound of bells...

‘The greatest works of art have that quality… in a great work of art, you know what it is to be alive and you also get a bit of sense of what it is to die,' said the British artist Maggi Hambling.


At times, this manner of creating new work has been demanding – but I feel it has been the cause of my best works so far.


Listen to: Recite, for ensemble | Vues des Anges, for vocal ensemble | Three Chants, for cello | Alba, for harp and organ | Rituale, for ensemble | Still, for electronics | Schokland Prayer, for accordeon | Tombeau à 5: Egidius, waer bestu bleven? (Daan Manneke arr. Tienstra)

Chamber (instrumental)

Created with Sketch.

Motetten (2009)

for ensemble (fl+picc, ob, cl, hrn, perc, pf, vln, vla, vlc, cb)

written for the Prometheus Ensemble (BE)

fp: 12-05-09, by Prometheus Ensemble, cond. Bart Bouckaerts; deSingel, Antwerp

 

Chorus (2010)

for piano

fp: 06-05-2010 by Tobias Borsboom; Sweelinckzaal, Amsterdam Conservatoire


Canti Spezzati (2010)

for choir, two instrumental groups and continuo group (all spatially placed)

commissioned by Stichting Noorderkerkconcerten, Amsterdam

t: selections from the Song of Songs (Vulgate, King James Version) edited by Em Angevaare and RT

fp: 18-09-2010, by Hollands Vocaal Ensemble, ensemble Barocco Locco, cond. Fokko Oldenhuis; Noorderkerk Amsterdam

Passaggio (2010); Ommaggio a Sweelinck | listen

for saxophone quartet

written at the request of and dedicated to the Berlage Saxophone Quartet; 

fp: 19-06-2011 by Boreas Saxophone Quartet, cond. RT; Haitinkzaal, Amsterdam Conservatoire

 

Rituale (2011) | listen

for ensemble (fl, ob+ca, cl+bcl, mand, gt, hrp, pf, perc, vl, vla, vlc, db)

witten for and dedicated to the Nieuw Ensemble, 

homage to the voices of Pino de Vittorio, Lucilla Galeazzi and Marco Beasley

fp: 01-06-2011 by the Nieuw Ensemble, cond. Lucas Vis; Concertgebouw, Amsterdam

 

Seascapes (2011 rev. 2012)

for viola and electronics

written in collaboration with Ji Youn Kang, Tape Interlude by Ji Youn Kang

written for Katya Woloshyn, dedicated to Liesbeth Seegers

fp: 23-06-2011 by Katya Woloshyn (viola) , Ji Youn Kang,  Kassen Oud (electronics); Oude Kerk, Amsterdam

fp rev. version: 19-02-2012 by Katya Woloshyn (viola) , Ji Youn Kang (electronics); Oude Jeroenskerk, Noordwijk

  

Facing Night (2012) | listen

for ensemble (ob, cl, b, hrn, vln, vla, vlc, db)

written for the ASKO|Schönberg ensemble

fp: 20-04-2012, by ASKO|Schönberg ensemble, cond. Bas Wiegers; Centre for World Music and Dance, Rotterdam

 

Three chants (2012) | listen | buy score 

for cello solo

fp: 17-05-2013, by Wilma Pistorius; Bernard Haitink Hall, Amsterdam Conservatoire.

 

Recite (2012) | listen

for ensemble (fl, cl, b, tr, trmb, pf, vl, vlc, db) 

written for Ensemble 10/10

fp: 14-11-2012, by Ensemble 10/10, cond. Clark Rundell; The Cornerstone, Liverpool

  

Pleurants (Meditations on the Dijon Mourners) (2021) | buy score
for viola

Tenderness - Two sketches after Jan Mankes (2022) | buy score 

for piano

Schokland Prayer (“They that go down to the sea in ships…”) (2022) | listen
for accordion
fp: 10-07-2022, by Marko Kassl; Museum Schokland

Tears (Meditation on The Lamentation of Christ by Rogier van der Weyden (and studio)) (2024) |  buy score 

for viola

written for and dedicated to the Mauritshuis Museum, The Hague

The Little Prince (2024) | buy score 

suite for piano four hands
written for and dedicated to Stanislav Jar and Laura Balicov
fp: 6-4-2025, by Stanislav Jar and Laura Balicov; Huize Ampijoloe, Oegstgeest

I. The Little Prince
II. The Asteroids (Var. I. The King; Var. II. The Conceited Man; Var. III. The Tippler; Var. IV. The Businessman; Var. V. The Lamplighter; Var. VI. The Geographer)
III. Flowers
IV. Stars

Carve the Runes (2024) | buy score 

for violoncello solo
dedicated to the St. Magnus Festival, Orkney

Vocal (solo)

Created with Sketch.

Weromkommer yn it ûnlân (2007/08) | listen

for soprano solo

written at the request of and dedicated to Francine Vis

t: Abe de Vries 

fp: 08-05-08, by Martha Bosch; Sweelinckzaal, Amsterdam Conservatoire.

 

Petite louange (2021) | buy score 

version for soprano and organ 

for Bobbie Blommesteijn
t: Bible (Song of Songs / Psalm 57)

Petite louange (2021) | buy score 

version for soprano and string quartet

for Bobbie Blommesteijn 


Do not go gentle into that good night (2023) | buy score 

for voice (countertenor) and piano or organ
for Benjamin Wenzelberg
t: Dylan Thomas
 

Do not go gentle into that good night (2023) | buy score 

for voice (countertenor) and string trio
for Benjamin Wenzelberg
t: Dylan Thomas 

Choral/Ensemble

Created with Sketch.

Canticle of Simeon (Nunc Dimittis) (2008) | listen

for 2 soprano's and alto or six-part women’s ensemble a cappella

dedicated to Ella Rombouts

t: Bible
fp: 02-11-08, by Ensemble Vocale Amsterdam, cond. Hannah Rijken; Oude Kerk, Amsterdam

 

Ave Maria (2008)

for SATB choir a cappella

dedicated to the Maria ter Zee choir, Noordwijk

fp: 25-12-08, by Maria ter Zee-koor, cond. RT; Maria ter Zee Kerk, Noordwijk

 

Ave Maria (arr. 2011)

for women’s choir SSA a cappella

arranged at the request of Herma van Piekeren

fp: 22-12-2011, by Kleijnkoor Noordwijk, cond. RT; Oude Jeroenskerk, Noordwijk

 

After grief (2012)

for chorus a cappella with optional melodic instrument

fp: 14-03-2013, by project choir of the Amsterdam Conservatoire, cond. Lodewijk van der Ree; Sweelinckzaal, Amsterdam Conservatoire

  

O Rex Gentium (2013)

for chorus SATB (with divisi) a cappella

dedicated to Cappella pro Cantibus
t: O-antiphon

fp: 08-12-2013, by Cappella pro Cantibus, cond. RT; Groene Kerkje, Oegstgeest

 

All through the night (2013)

a carol (for unspecified chorus)

commissioned by Kleijnkoor Noordwijk for their annual Carol concert
t: Welsh carol

fp: by Kleijnkoor Noordwijk, cond. Herma van Piekeren; Old Jeroen's church, Noordwijk

 

Missa Brevis a 3 (2017) | buy score

for SMsA/TBarB a cappella

in memoriam Jan Valkestijn

fp: 24-09-2017, by Cappella Puellarum, cond. Sanne Nieuwenhuijsen; Cathedral Basilica of St Bavo, Haarlem (fp RT: 14-01-2018)

 

Prayer of John Henry Newman (2017 rev. 2018) | buy score 

for chorus SATB (with divisi) and organ

t: John Henry Newman
fp: ?-10-2018, by Cathedral Choir St Bavo, cond. RT, organ Ton van Eck; Cathedral Basilica of St Bavo, Haarlem

 

The desert’s blossoming (2019) | buy score 

for chorus SATB (with divisi) a cappella
t: Bible (Isaiah 35)

for Cappella pro Cantibus, Oegstgeest

   

Abide with me (2020) | buy score 

for chorus SATB a cappella
t:  Henry Francis Lyte

 

Prayer of Nicholas of Flüe (2020) | buy score

for chorus SATB a cappella

dedicated to the brothers of Einsiedeln Abbey
t: Nicholas of Flüe

 

Set me as a seal upon thine heart (2020) | buy score

for quartet (SSAA, TTBB or eight-part doubling SSAATTBB) a cappella

for vocal quartet ‘Sorelle’
t: Bible (Song of Songs)
 

Portico of Glory (Santiago Te Deum) (2020) | buy score 

for chorus SMsATBarB and organ

for Santiago Cathedral, in honorem Sancti Iacobi, Matthaei magistri recordatus 


If ye love me (2021)  | buy score 

for chorus SATB a cappella
for Cappella Nicolai (Giles Brightwell, cond.)
t: Bible (John 14:15–17)


Two memorials (2021) | buy score 

I. At a calvary near the Ancre
II. They shall grow not old
t: Wilfred Owen

Magnificat | Nunc Dimittis (2021) | buy score 

for mixed choir and organ
in memoriam Michael Hedley

When David heard (2022) |  buy score

for SSMMA

dedicated to Graces & Voices
t: Bible (2 Samuel 18:33)
fp: 11-06-2022, by Graces & Voices; Catharinakerk, Den Bosch

Da Pacem (arrangement of When David heard) (2022) | publ. in Gregoriusblad Sept. '23 

for SMATB
written at the request of the Auroville Renaissance Cappella (Eugeen Liven d'Abelardo, cond.)
fp: 24/25/26-02, by ARC; Pitanga, Auroville, India


Psaume 122 (2023) | buy score

for chorus SATB a cappella
commissioned by Cappella pro Cantibus Oegstgeest, in celebration of the choir’s 50th anniversary

fp: 22-04-2023, by CpC, cond. RT; Regenboogkerk, Oegstgeest

Alleluia (companion piece for a chant verse) (2023) | buy score 

for SMA or TBarB
for Graces & Voices
fp: 9-03-2024, by Graces & Voices; Klangraum Krems Minoritenkirche (Austria)

A Clear Midnight (2023)
for chorus SATB a cappella
written for the Overijssels Kamerkoor (Eugène van Boheemen, cond.)
t: Walt Whitman

Vues des Anges (2023) | listen
for double quartet SSAATTBB or chorus a cappella
written at the request of Bobbie Blommesteijn for Lemnis Ensemble
t: Rainer Maria Rilke

Why fumeth in fight (canon after T. Tallis) (2024)
arr. for chorus SSAATTBB
for Ensemble TIEN
fp: 13&14-04-2024, by Ensemble TIEN, cond. Sanne Nieuwenhuijsen; Waalse Kerk, Amsterdam

These are my tidings (2024)
for SA and harp
written at the request of Victoria Davies
t: translation of gloss in Liber Hymnorum (Ireland)
fp: 6-12-2024, by Papagena and Victoria Davies; De Verbeelding, Zeewolde

Petite Louange (arr. 2024)
version for SMA and harp
for Papagena and Victoria Davies
t: Song of Songs

A New Child (2025)
for SMA and harp
for Milan
written for Papagena and Victoria Davies
t: George Mackay Brown

Electronics

Created with Sketch.

Still (2014) | listen

commissioned by KunstKlank Foundation for their 2014 4th of May Memorials 

fp: 03-05-2014, Oude Jeroenskerk, Noordwijk (installation by Ji Youn Kang) 

Carillon

Created with Sketch.

Diptych for carillon (2007 rev. 2011) | buy score

I. Lamento; II. Toccata.

Awarded with the Award for Composer under 30, International Composition Contest Rhenen (NL)

fp: 24-05-08, by Roy Kroezen; carillon of St Cunera's tower, Rhenen

 

Da pacem, Domine (2020) | free download

I. Passacaglia; II. Fuga

written for the Beiaard-Estafette 75 jaar Bevrijding 2020

fp: 09-05-2020, by Gerda Peters; carillon of Oude Kerk, Voorburg

 

Airborne (Variations on a theme by Britten) (2020) | free download 

for Bob van der Linde

Organ

Created with Sketch.

Gearslach (2010) | listen

for pan pipes and organ 

written at the request of and dedicated to Henske van der Weerd 

fp: 23-03-11, by Henske van der Weerd, panpipes and Michal Bialko, organ; Verschueren-organ of the Orgelpark Amsterdam 

 

Gearslach (arr. 2010) 

for trumpet and organ 

arranged at the request of Kirstin Gramlich 

fp: Gaudeamus Music Week 2011, by Kirstin Gramlich, organ and Christoph Barth, trumpet; Orgelpark Amsterdam 

 

Alba (2011) 

fp: ?-2011, by RT, organ; St. Jeroenskerk, Noordwijk 

 

Alba (2011 arr. 2011/2012) | listen

version for harp and organ 

fp: 07-06-2012, by Andrea Voets, harp and Jaap Zwart, organ; Orgelpark Amsterdam 

 

Clearing (Portrait, Still life and Landscape) (2012) 

for 2 organs 

fp: 18-05-2013, by Mira Cieślak and RT, organs; Orgelpark Amsterdam 

 

Cortèges (2014-2015) | listen to (X)

I; II (‘Alleluia’); III (‘Agnus Dei’); IV (IIb); V (‘Quies’); VI; VII; VIIIa; VIIIb; IX (‘In manus tuas’); X (‘Terribilis est locus iste’); XI (‘Nocturne’); XII (‘Nunc dimittis’) 

for Theo Visser

Patmos (2023) | buy score
I; II; III
for St. John's Cathedral, 's-Hertogenbosch
fp: 22-10-2023, by Cor de Jong; Oude Kerk, Soest

Orchestrations/arrangements

Created with Sketch.

La sérénade interrompue (C. Debussy) (arr. 2011) | listen

arr. for the Nieuw Ensemble 

fp: 08-04-2011 by Nieuw Ensemble, cond. Bas Wiegers; Concertgebouw, Amsterdam 


Five pieces (D. Shostakovich) (arr. 2012)
for string quartet

Divertimento (I. Stravinsky) (arr. 2012)
for violin, alto saxophone and harp, commissioned by Trio42

Tombeau à 5 : Egidius, waer bestu bleven? (Daan Manneke)(arr. 2014) | listen | buy score
for mixed choir
fp: 30-10-2015, Cappella pro Cantibus, cond. RT; Pieterskerk, Utrecht

Oorlog (H. Bannink) (arr. 2016) 

arr. for chamber orchestra, commissioned by KunstKlank Foundation for their 2016 4th of May Memorials 

fp: 01-05-2016, Oude Jeroenskerk, Noordwijk 


Ao Longe o Mar (Madredeus) (orch. 2017) 

orch. for baritone soloist and string orchestra 

fp: 14-07-2017, by Henk Neeven, KunstKlank project orchestra; KunstKlank Theatre, Noordwijk 


I Love Xmas (misc.) (orch. 2017)
orch. of 20 Christmas classics for voices and full symphonic orchestra
fp: 21-12-2017, by Heemsteeds Philharmonisch Orkest (cond. Dick Verhoef) and Eglentier Theatre Company; Philharmonie, Haarlem

Doubt (M. Glinka) (orch. 2019) 

orch. for baritone and cello soloists and string orchestra 

fp: 03-2019, by Henk Neeven, KunstKlank project orchestra; ‘Sancta Maria’, Noordwijkerhout 

 

Winterreise (F. Schubert) (arr. 2019) 

arr. of 12 songs from Schubert’s Winterreise for choir, soloists, violin, horn, cello and accordeon 

fp: 06-03-2020, by KunstKlank Foundation project ensemble, Winterreis location theatre in Buijze Pers, Noordwijk 
 

Children's Corner (C. Debussy) (orch. 2011)

for symphonic chamber orchestra

Banalités (F. Poulenc) (orch. 2022)
orch. for voice and symphonic chamber orchestra

Surusoitto (Funeral music) (from 2 pieces for organ op. 111) (J. Sibelius) (orch. 2022)
for symphonic orchestra

Waldesnacht (J. Brahms) (arr. 2024)
arr. for double chorus TB+SA and cello solo
for Ensemble TIEN

Other

Created with Sketch.

Openingsmuziek voor een toren (Opening Music for a Tower) (2009) 

for SSAA choir and optional church bells 

written for the opening festivities of the tower of the Old St. Jeroen Church, Noordwijk 

t: RT 

fp: 16-05-09, by Kleijnkoor Noordwijk; Tower of St. Jeroen Church, Noordwijk 

 

Marco Polo Project: location opera for 'The Little Thai Prince' restaurant (2008) 

for 2 mezzo soprano's (and background music) 

t: J.J. Slauerhoff, R. Tienstra, Ján Barta, Judith v.d. Dool, Floor v.d. Sluis 

fp: 16- en 23-11-08, by Judith v.d. Dool and Floor v.d. Sluis; 'The Little Thai Prince' restaurant 

 

In ripieno (2009) 

for SATB soloists and tape 

written for the 20 year Jubilee celebrations of the Fall of the Berlin Wall 

t: Paul Wolters / RT 

fp: 4- and 8-11-2009, Stadsschouwburg Utrecht, by Kirila Kraal, Ella Rombouts, Oliver Rault and Rick Zwart / pre-performances by Amsterdams Studenten Koor and Utrechtse Studenten Cantorij 

 

St Martin’s Mass (2012) 

(ordinarium for the Mass according to the rite of the Old Catholic Church, for single voice and organ accompaniment) 

commissioned by the Old Catholic Church of the Netherlands 

fp: 21-04-2013, by choir and congregation of the Old Catholic St Gertrude Cathedral; Old Catholic St Gertrude Cathedral, Utrecht 

 

St Martin’s Mass (arr. 2013) 

(ordinarium for the Mass according to the rite of the Roman Catholic Church, for single voice and organ accompaniment; arr. for SATB choir and organ: 2014) 

arranged at the request of RC St Willibrd's church, Oegstgeest 

 

Kinderen van de Zaan (2013) 

children's opera in 4 parts: songs by Aga de Wit and Herma van Piekeren; arrangements, orchestration, soundscapes by RT. 

fp: 04-2013; Zaans Museum, Zaandam 


Help, mijn stem is weg! (2017) 

a mini-opera for young children, concept by Aga de Wit and Herma van Piekeren; arrangements and soudscapes by RT. 

fp: 08-02-2018, at Van der Meer Bookshop, Noordwijk