Press
Press release, July 3rd 2023
November Music 2023
1 through 12 November in ’s-Hertogenbosch
November Music has invited some of the world's most renowned musicians and composers at the pinnacle of their careers, including John Zorn, Barbara Hannigan, Jennifer Walshe, Rebecca Saunders, Simon-Steen Andersen, Tristan Murail, Oslo Sinfonietta, Jack Quartet, and The Crossing while mid-career makers such as Aart Strootman, Maya Fridman, Rozalie Hirs, Kika Sprangers, Jameszoo, and LudoWic are given the chance to put their hearts and souls into new large-scale productions. With seven composition commissions plus one hundred different concerts, November Music's 31st edition showcases the diversity and vitality of today's new music.
November Music 2023 runs between 1-12 November on various locations in ’s-Hertogenbosch. It opens with the latest Bosch Requiem, composed by Aart Strootman and based on a text written by Jan Rot. Tickets for November Music 2023 will be on sale from 8 July.
Bosch Requiem 2023
For the seventh time, November Music has commissioned a composer to write a new Bosch Requiem with as title, Laatste Woorden (Last Words). The libretto consists of what are literally the last words of the Dutch singer-songwriter Jan Rot who passed away in 2022. Aart Strootman is composing a comforting reflection on life. The work will be performed by Cello Octet Amsterdam, Mallet Collective, bassist Fred Jacobsson, and the vocalists Rianne Wilders and Fanny Alofs. Laatste Woorden will also tour other venues including Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ, De Doelen, SoundsofMusic, Amare, and TivoliVredenburg.
John Zorn in ’s-Hertogenbosch III
The composer, saxophonist, and improviser John Zorn will visit ’s-Hertogenbosch for the third time in order to stage, and perform in, 12 concerts around many new works, alongside his musical friends including Barbara Hannigan, Jack Quartet, Julian Lage, Bill Frisell, John Medewksi. Owing to his versatility and passion, Zorn is the perfect match for November Music. The two-day event closes with a concert starring the soprano Barbara Hannigan and John Zorn himself on the organ in the Grote Kerk. It features Zorn's New Masada Quartet for the first time ever in the Netherlands.
Artist-in-residence Maya Fridman
The Dutch/Russian cellist Maya Fridman is this year's artist-in-residence, with different concerts throughout the festival. One of the highlights will be her collaboration with the violist Garth Knox. They play the Book of Angels, composed by John Zorn. Also on the programme is a new work with the choreographer Dunja Jocic and LudoWic while Maya is curating a spiritual programme called Rituelen that features the choir Capella Brabant, violinist Merel Vercammen, and instruments that have been developed and built by Aart Strootman. They will be played by students from the Academy of Music and Performing Arts (AMPA) in Tilburg.
International top
November Music is proud to present large-scale works by two of the most important female composers, the Irish maker/performer Jennifer Walshe and the English/German composer Rebecca Saunders, performed by Oslo Sinfonietta. Having Simon Steen-Andersen and Christian Winther Christensen guarantees the presence of two very remarkable Danish composers. And, for the first time, the American choir The Crossing (winner of three Grammy Awards!) will make an appearance at the festival where it will participate in the new music theatre production Sin-Eater by composer David T. Little and director Jorinde Keesmaat, alongside the Ragazze Quartet. The German Ensemble Ascolta will make its November Music debut with, among others, new work by Rozalie Hirs. A portrait concert by Het Collectief focusses on the French spectralist Tristan Murail, who will be there in person.
Focus op mid-career Makers
November Music 2023 offers a platform to a large number of Dutch mid-career makers, musicians, and ensembles including Aurelie Lierman, Dyane Donck, Christiaan Richter, Sander Germanus, Vincent van Amsterdam, Joe Puglia, and Stef Veldhuis. The closing concert, Fuse's Mikroskosmos project will be performed for the first time. Naturally, there will be ample attention for upcoming and young talent including Celia Swart, Saskia Venegas, Amarante Nat, Aftab Darvishi, Bianca Bongers, Gemma Bosch, and Luke Deane. Among the more established composers we find Richard Rijnvos, David Dramm, Martijn Padding, Jan van de Putte, Jo Sporck in the Netherlands or hailing from elsewhere. The latter include Philip Venables, Christopher Trapani, Øyvind Torvund, and Jürg Frey. Of course, a work by the Flemish composer Wim Henderickx, who died far too early last December, will also be played at the festival.
Jazz, World & Pop
November Music once again goes inclusive with music from all corners of the world. There are concerts featuring the Iranian singer Mahsa Vadat with Amsterdam Sinfonietta, the Slovenian/Canadian oud player Gordon Grdina, the French/Syrian flautist Naïssam Jalal, and the Norwegian accordionist Frode Haltli with 11-piece group Avant Folk. The combination of acoustic and electronic music is central to the special projects of the Dutch electronica pioneers and producers, Jameszoo and LudoWic. The latter performs with the chamber choir PA’dam while Jameszoo collaborates with Asko|Schönberg and Slagwerk Den Haag. On top of this, the saxophonist Kika Sprangers, having been commissioned to write a composition, is creating new work for her Large Ensemble and, as special guest, the harpist Remy van Kesteren. An invitation to Sungazer means that one of the most innovative and trendy acts of the moment will be coming to the festival. From the US also saxophonist Donny McCaslin - known for his collaboration on David Bowie's masterpiece Blackstar - will perform at November Music to present his new album I Want More.
FAQ Festival
For the third time, the three-day Festival for electronic music will be part of November Music with, once again, a broad palette of electronic sounds.
New Music Conference
The fifth edition of the New Music Conference, in collaboration with BUMA Cultuur, will take place on Thursday 9 November.
On November Music
November Music is the festival for all adventurous music lovers. Each year, it brings together unique and progressive makers and musicians from all over the world. The focus is on those who are not swimming with the stream or against it but who are creating their own new varieties. As it holds space for this wide variety of sounds, November Music creates a narrative that is distinctive and inimitable. Just like the makers themselves.
Experience modern composed music, jazz, world music, music theatre, pop, rock, (sound) installations and genres beyond your wildest imagination. November Music creates encounters and challenges makers to do a deep dive.
November Music has been part of the so-called Dutch cultural basic infrastructure, BIS, since 2021. More information via www.novembermusic.net.
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Note for the Editor:
Our press contact person is Marjolein van Ruiten, +31 (0)6-200 62 844. Any press-related queries can be mailed to PR@marjoleinvanruiten.com or pers@novembermusic.net.