KLAVIERLIEFDE
‘Klavierliefde’ is a collaboration between Intercontinental Ensemble and pianist Yukiko Hasegawa. The program includes both piano concertos by Clara and Robert Schumann, as well as “Ontluiken 花,” a new work by composer Bianca Bongers.
The motivation for this project lies in Yukiko Hasegawa’s admiration for Clara Schumann. Clara, against the social norms of her time, was a leading woman: breadwinner, highly respected teacher, and above all, a great piano virtuoso. With her performances, the music of her husband Robert Schumann became known to the general public.
Hasegawa: “It is an eternal shame that she relegated composing to the background, because there is no question that she herself was a brilliant composer. Her piano concerto that she wrote at a very young age is a very good example of that.”
In her latest work ‘Ontluiken 花 for piano solo and ensemble (2025)’ Bianca Bongers strips the listener’s senses, constantly switching between introverted and extroverted atmospheres. Bongers explains, “In my piece, the unknown emerges. The sensation when you hear something for the first time, do not yet fully understand it, but feel that it has meaning. Like a writing that continues to make itself known and blossoms.”
“Klavierliefde” has been made possible because of the generous support of Fonds Podiumkunsten, BNG Cultuurfonds, het Cultuurfonds and van den Berch-Heemstede Stichting.
ARC
The Intercontinental Ensemble spans diverse musical worlds, as female artists from various backgrounds share their musical stories.
Bianca Bongers’ “Collage of an Octave” is a meditative piece that effortlessly blends harmonies by Pärt with rhythms by Stravinsky. Clara Schumann wrote her 3 Romances after meeting Brahms. Originally for piano, IntEns’ arrangement of these beautiful pieces offers even more colors of sound.
Aregnaz Martirosyan’s “Emotional Diversity” is a confrontational and raw look at the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, where families and friends are sent to the front. Sarah Neutkens’ “September I” creates a musical journey through the golden colors of an autumn forest.
Finally, there’s the nonet by French composer Louise Farrenc. After the premiere, she received a pay raise from the Paris Conservatory. Not a moment too soon, as in the 19th century she was paid less than her male colleagues for the same work. All of these different stories, told by the nine musicians of IntEns.
TRAVELING LIGHT
Famous symphonies brought in a new light. More transparency, more flexibility. The Intercontinental Ensemble (IntEns) presents familiar symphonies in a new light. With their arrangements and performance, they provide listeners with the opportunity to discover new melodies in the works—musical lines that were previously hardly audible in the sound mass of an orchestra.
Franz Schubert wrote his eighth symphony at the end of his life. It was called “the Unfinished” because it only has two parts instead of four. Schubert needed no more to tell his musical story.
The “Poco Allegretto” from Brahms’ third symphony is a highlight of romanticism. The melancholic melody, introduced by the cello, captivates the listener from beginning to end.
In his first symphony, Beethoven is clearly still a student of Haydn. In the second, he found his own voice: obstinate, romantic, and full of energy. Beethoven brought something new and unheard of, leaving critics at a loss while enchanting audiences.
Listen to pieces from these three giants in IntEns’ own arrangement for nonet, which gains in transparency and flexibility with the same intensity as a full orchestra.
IN MOTU
Every piece of music has motion, but some pieces just have a little bit more. Such is the case with the pieces on IntEns’ new album “In Motu.”
Nino Rota is best known as a film composer for Fellini and Coppola films. In his nonet, he showcases a range of styles—from drama to hilarious comedy—creating a wild rollercoaster that surprises and captivates throughout its five movements.
The Czech composer Martinů wrote his nonet in 1959 for the Czech Nonet. It is a tribute to his birthplace, filled with folk dances and exuberant euphoria, punctuated by a heart-wrenching middle section.
At the age of twenty, Mendelssohn traveled through Italy for months, overwhelmed by centuries-old art, beautiful nature, and passionate Italian character. He captured these impressions in his symphony, which concludes with an impressive tarantella.
“In Motu” is a powerful and moving experience that leaves no one untouched. IntEns performs the music with full passion and enjoyment.
