The Danish composer Hans Abrahamsen (°1952) became famous with music that has come to be categorized as 'new simplicity'. Always looking for the simplest musical structures, Abrahamsen fell under the spell of J.S. Bach's 'Fourteen canons' in the early 1990s. By continuing to repeat these canons, they began to sound like 'minimal music' to Abrahamsen's ears and the perception of time gradually became circular.
A long time later, Abrahamsen uses these experiences in his own series of ten canons, which he gives the title 'Schnee'.
He arranges them in five groups of 'twin canons', interrupted by three intermezzi. Each of these canons evokes its own snow-related sound world. For example, you hear the crunching sound of footsteps in the snow or a wild blizzard, but also a feeling of winter melancholy or nostalgia for childhood snow fun...
Despite the simple starting point and the austerity of the sound material, Abrahamsen manages to create a great variety of shades and to transport the listener into an intimate, tranquil sound fantasy.
SCHNEE
Ten Canons for Nine Instruments (2006-08)
Hans ABRAHAMSEN (°1952)
60'
Canon 1a. Ruhig aber beweglich
Canon 1b. Fast immer zart und stille
Canon 2a. Lustig spielend, aber nicht zu lustig, immer ein bisschen melancholisch
Intermezzo 1
Canon 2b. Lustig spielend, aber nicht zu lustig, immer ein bisschen melancholisch
Canon 3a. Sehr langsam, schleppend und mit Trübsinn (im Tempo des "Tai Chi")
Canon 3b. Sehr langsam, schleppend und mit Trübsinn (im Tempo des "Tai Chi")
Intermezzo 2
Canon 4a (minore) (Hommage à WAM). Stürmich, unruhig und nervös
Canon 4b (maggiore). Sehr stürmich, unruhig und nervös
Intermezzo 3
Canon 5a (rectus). Einfach und kindlich
Canon 5b (inversus). Einfach und kindlich
Het Collectief (9 musicians) & Tom De Cock, conductor
Available from autumn 2025.
