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.

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Style

The composition, performance and listening experience of Tienstra's compositions have parallels 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. 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. 

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Themes

In most of his vocal works cyclicism and filtering are already present in the texts of choice, such as the Canticle of Simeon, evening prayers from John Henry Newman, Henry Francis Lyte or Nicholas of Fluë, the Song of Songs or Frisian texts. 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 thinkable 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.

The video shows an arrangement of Madredeus' Ao longue o Mar, made for KunstKlank's 2017 theatre production Gestrand Verlangen. 

Chamber

Created with Sketch.

Motetten (2009)

for ensemble

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)

written at the request of the Noorderkerkconcerten Foundation, 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

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

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

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

Choral/Vocal

Created with Sketch.

Weromkommer yn it ûnlân (2007/08) | listen

for soprano solo

t: Abe de Vries

written at the request of and dedicated to Francine Vis

fp: 08-05-08, by Martha Bosch; Sweelinckzaal  (Conservatory of 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

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

 

Ave Maria (2008)

for SATB choir a cappella

t: Gospel of Luke 1,28; 1,42; Council of Ephesus

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 Conservatory of Amsterdam, cond. Lodewijk van der Ree; Sweelinckzaal, Conservatory of Amsterdam

  

O Rex Gentium (2013)

for chorus SATB (with divisi) a cappella

dedicated to Cappella pro Cantibus

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

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

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

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

 

Prayer of Nicholas of Flüe (2020) | buy score

for chorus SATB a cappella

dedicated to the brothers of Einsiedeln Abbey

 

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’
 

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.)


Two memorials (2021) | buy score 

I. At a calvary near the Ancre
II. They shall grow not old

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

Petite louange (2021) | buy score 

version for soprano and string quartet

for Bobbie Blommesteijn 


When David heard (2022)
for SSMMA
dedicated to Graces & Voices
fp: 11-06-2022, by Graces & Voices; Catharinakerk Den Bosch

Da Pacem (arrangement of When David heard) (2022)
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


Alleluia (companion piece for a chant verse) (2023)
for SMA or TBarB
for Graces & Voices

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)

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)

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

Fast falls the eventide (2020)
I: II

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 

 

Debussy – La sérénade interrompue | listen

Orchestration for the Nieuw Ensemble 

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

 

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 

 

Oorlog (2016) 

arrangement for chamber orchestra of the song by the same name by Harry Bannink, commissioned by KunstKlank Foundation for their 2016 4th of May Memorials 

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

 

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 

  

Ao Longe o Mar (arr. 2017) 

original song by Madredeus 

arranged for baritone soloist and string orchestra 

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

 

Doubt (arr. 2019) 

original song by Michail Glinka 

arranged 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) (2019) 

arrangements 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