Composition
Tienstra studied Composition (BMus and MMus) at Amsterdam Conservatoire. His teachers included Daan Manneke, Willem Jeths and Wim Henderickx, with minors in Electronics with Jorrit Tamminga, Orchestration and Arranging with Theo Verbey, and guest lessons with Tristan Murail. During studies, Tienstra met Jonathan Harvey, whose music, ideas and personality proved highly inspirational to him.
Tienstra has composed for all types of instruments and ensembles, ranging from modern to Baroque orchestras, string quartet to full symphony orchestra, panpipes to carillon, classical to contemporary ensembles, and for amateur and professional players. Following performance practice, choral music holds an important place in his output.
Tienstra's works are published by Donemus Publishing. See below for a list of works.
Style
The composition, performance and listening experience of Tienstra's compositions have parallels to the sea's dynamics (the composer being born and raised at the seaside) as well as 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. The cyclical process is usually one of gradual filtering towards a musical point vierge (in the wording of Thomas Merton). This could be given shape in a contemplation of a particular harmony, harmonic series, or the exchange of contrasting gestures.
Listen to Recite, for ensemble.
Listen to one of Three Chants, for cello.
Listen to Alba, for harp and organ.
Listen to Rituale, for ensemble.
Listen to Still, for electronics.
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Themes
In most of his vocal works cyclicism and filtering are already present in the texts of choice, such as prayers from John Henry Newman, Henry Francis Lyte or Nicholas of Fluë, the Song of Songs or texts by Whitman, Thomas or Rilke.
A recurrent theme in Tienstra's works is that of commemoration. He has frequently composed commemorative works for voices, instruments or electronics for occassions such as Dutch Memorial Day, or the 25th commemoration of the Fall of the Berlin Wall.
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Orchestration & Arranging
An important part of Tienstra's composition practice is orchestrating and arranging existing works, a métier he studied for three years at Amsterdam Conservatoire with Theo Verbey.
All genres of music have come by: a choir/ensemble version of Schubert's Winterreise; full orchestrations of Debussy's Préludes and Children's Corner; ensemble versions of piano pieces by Shostakovich and Berio; orchestrated songs by Poulenc, Glinka and Ravel; chamber versions of songs by Weill, Villa-Lobos and Brahms; arrangements of Christmas carols, fados, jazz standards, klezmer, lullabies, folk and cabaret music.
Have a listen to an arrangement of Debussy's Sérénade interrompue, made for the Nieuw Ensemble.
The video shows an arrangement of Madredeus' Ao longue o Mar, made for KunstKlank's 2017 theatre production Gestrand Verlangen.
Chamber
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, Conservatory of Amsterdam
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, Conservatory of Amsterdam
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, Conservatory of Amsterdam.
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)
for accordion
fp: 10-07-2022, by Marko Kassl; Museum Schokland
Do not go gentle into that good night (2023)
for voice (countertenor) and piano/organ/string trio
for Benjamin Wenzelberg
Choral/Vocal
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
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
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
Ubi caritas / Ecce quam bonum (2019)
for schola (chant group), tenor instrument and organ
commissioned by and dedicated to the Schola Cantorum Oegstgeest for their 80th jubilee
fp: 20-09-2020, by Schola Cantorum Oegstgeest, cond. Franz Straatman, St Willibrord church, 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)
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
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
When David heard (2022) | (publ. in prep.)
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) | (publ. in prep.)
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) | (publ. in prep.)
for SMA or TBarB
for Graces & Voices
Do not go gentle into that good night (2023)
for voice (countertenor) and piano/organ/string trio
for Benjamin Wenzelberg
t: Dylan Thomas
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)
for double quartet SSAATTBB or chorus a cappella
written at the request of Bobbie Blommesteijn
t: Rainer Maria Rilke
Electronics
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
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
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)
I; II; III
fp: 22-10-2023, by Cor de Jong; Oude Kerk, Soest
Orchestrations/arrangements
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
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; former chapel of the ‘Sancta Maria’ estate, 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 symphony orchestra
Christmas Lullaby (B. Streisand) (arr. 2022)
arr. for voice and string orchestra
fp: 21-12-2022, by Kleynkoor Academy and Ensemble
Other
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, after an idea by Aga de Wit and Herma van Piekeren; arrangements and soudscapes by RT.
fp: 08-02-2018, at the Cultuurcafé (Van der Meer Bookshop), Noordwijk
Psalm 22 (chant) (2018)
fp: 25-03-2018 (Palm Sunday), by Bavo-cantorij, cond. Sanne Nieuwenhuijsen, organ Ton van Eck; Cathedral Basilica of St Bavo, Haarlem
Psalm 42 (chant) (2019)
fp: 20-04-2019 (Easter Vigil), by Cathedral Choir St Bavo, cond. RT, organ Ton van Eck; Cathedral Basilica of St Bavo, Haarlem