4e Samsoniade: Samson meets Poulenc
The Surinamese-Jewish composer René Samson’s oeuvre has something of a too-well-kept musical secret. It is rich and extensive — the result of more than thirty years of composing: choral works, music theatre, and a wealth of instrumental and vocal chamber music. Much of this oeuvre has been performed and has invariably been received with great appreciation. René’s music is deeply cherished — by a select circle of listeners and performers alike.
Since René’s sudden passing in 2019, the René Samson Foundation has made it its mission to reveal the secret of René’s music as often as possible — among other things by organizing the “Samsoniades”: concerts centered around René’s phenomenal chamber music.
In this fourth edition of the Samsoniade, René’s music enters into dialogue with that of Francis Poulenc. The two composers share much in common: a profound love of the human voice, an audible sense of humor, and a penchant for writing “musical music” — in their works, echoes of other music can often be clearly heard. Baroque, folk music, jazz, late Romanticism, Surinamese influences — anything can suddenly appear. Sometimes surprisingly, sometimes naturally so, but always as an enrichment of their unmistakably personal voices — yet another quality they share.
These two distinctive compositional voices shine beautifully in the colorful program of the Fourth Samsoniade, which is at once lighthearted and profound. From Poulenc’s flute and clarinet sonatas and his exquisite songs to Samson’s sparkling Kultuurtuin Kawina, sung in Sranantongo — we can, and will, go in every direction.
René Samson (1948–2019)
Contrasting Moods for flute, clarinet, piano, and percussion
Murmurs and Cries for flute and bass clarinet
Kultuurtuin Kawina for mezzo-soprano, percussion, narrator, and background choir
Francis Poulenc (1899–1963)
Sonata for Flute and Piano, FP 164
Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, FP 184
Songs
Fanny Alofs, mezzo-soprano
Eline van Esch, flute
Rik Kuppen piano
Jelmer de Moed, clarinet
Colin Crandal percussion
Sliding scale tickets: €22,50 - €35 - €50 - €100 - €200
For this concert, we use a "pay what you want" system.
There is no difference between the price categories; you can choose your seat upon arrival.
However, donations above €22.50 are very helpful to the René Samson Foundation in organizing a concert like this. They are greatly appreciated!
