Een muzikale anthologie der Noordelijke Nederlanden

“Noordelijke Nederlanden” as opposed to “Zuidelijke Nederlanden”, which is present-day Belgium. Those who compiled this set consequently chose for this old-fashioned name because most pieces here were composed before the Independence of Belgium became a fact (1830).

As a rule, I’m not at all that fond of compilations. They often cover too well-known standard works of a single period only; or I have most works in a complete version – from a better label.

I’ll have to make an exception this time. I like this box. There are 37 composers present in this set. I didn’t know the names of 27 of them, or knew names but hadn’t heard their works. So, the compilation is not standard…of course any compilation containing Dutch composers throughout the ages is non-standard per definition. This for the simple reason most of our musicians didn’t reach fame.
Further, the NM Classics label provides for extremely good recordings. This is a crystal clear set. No need to wish for a Harmonia Mundi, DGG or whatever; these labels meet their match in the relatively small NM Classics company.

As for the music, so far I’ve listened to albums 1, 2 and 5.
CD1 starts with elegant pieces for Lute, and naturally contains a sonata for recorder (van Eijck). We Dutchmen seem to be particularly good at this instrument – perhaps because every household in Holland has got one. It must be our most neglected piece of furniture, so to say. Children try it for a couple of weeks and next, forget all about it.
Sweelinck is presented with some good vocal works, as is Huygens. I need to investigate the latter’s “Pathodia Sacrae”, it sounds promising.
CD2 covers the Barok period. Mr. Willem de Fesch knows his Vivaldi, so much is obvious. Both men were contemporaries and more or less age peers. For the rest, this CD offers what can be expected from a Barok album. Perhaps this is the only album which sounds a little bit standard. Solid, yes, but standard. Pity one decided for yet another recording of a van Wassenaer Concerto Armonico – there must be dozens of them; whereas the man composed more than just that.
CD3 & 4: I haven’t heard them yet. Matthijs Vermeulen on CD4 should be a revelation, according to a friend of mine.
CD5, the modern period, will definitely become my favourite album of the set. First, I was pleasantly surprised by Rudolf Escher’s piece “Musique pour l’esprit en deuil”. It’s Ravelian a la Daphnis & Chloe, I’d say, but here and there it reminds me of Rachmaninov’s Isle of the Dead too.
Andriessen’s live recording of “De Volharding” (perseverance) is fantastic. A rough, minimal music composition for wind ensemble, like a juggernaut rolling down the hill at full speed. Nice detail, we hear the audience scream out their enthusiasm about the concentrated effort of the musicians. It’s as if they’re attending a rock concert. De Volharding is both a composition and the name of the performing orchestra which was founded by Andriessen and avant-garde jazzman Willem Breuker. Who, by the way, is present on this CD too…

So far my review. I randomly discussed some of the works on this set, I won’t make my story too long and stop here.

Note: I didn’t scan the booklet. First, it’s in Dutch only and has only two text pages; second, its cover is the same as the boxfront; and third, this compilation is part of a larger publication called “A Musical History of the Netherlands”. That’s a book. One didn’t think it necessary to include a booklet for the cd set because all info needed is in the book.