De Materie
[Matter] (1985-88)various (Fl,Fl-E)
S,T,2speakers; chorus(2.2.2.2)
3.4(III,IV=corA).5.3bcl(III=dbcl).2asax.2tsax.barsax.0-4.4.4.1-perc(6):3marimbas/glsp/vib(4hands)/
11gongs/SD/2BD/string dr/2drum sets(hi-hat,cym,8boobams and/or syn dr,SD,BD)/lg rattle/
3lg cowbells/lg log dr/2lg metal boxes/2sets of tom-t/metal chimes(ad lib)/t.bells/lg slapstick/guiro/
bell tree/tam-t/timp/2bellplate/metal and heavy metal(eg 4car bumpers)-harp-cel-2pft-2synth-2gtr-bass gtr-
strings(2.2.2.2.1)
Abbreviations (PDF)
Boosey & Hawkes
'Matter' as a philosophical Marxist artistic and natural scientific concept inspired the composer in the years 1984-1988 to create a musical theater four-part work dedicated to historical characters. In Part I this is the early 17th century philosopher Gorlaeus, in Part II the 13th-century Brabant mystic and poet Hadewijch, in Part III ('De Stijl') the painter Piet Mondriaan, and in Part IV Madame Curie.
Note by Elmer Schönberger, courtesy of the Louis Andriessen Platform
"...there's no doubt that De Materie is Andriessen's finest work to date, and one of the most significant scores produced by a European composer in the last 20 years."
The Guardian
"...an arresting piece that combines rigorous planning with exuberant, vigorous invention."
The Observer
Susan Narucki/James Doing/Gertrude Thoma/Cindy Oswin/
Asko Ensemble/Schönberg Ensemble/
Netherlands Chamber Choir/
Reinbert de Leeuw
Nonesuch 79367
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