First Things First | Willem Wander van Nieuwkerk

1985a

Dance opera: three dansers, three singers, three electrical guitarists, three percussionists

70'

1st perf.: Amsterdam, Shaffy Theater, Company
Choreography: Marjolein van Nieuwkerk
Text by the composer

http://wiki.theaterencyclopedie.nl/wiki/First_Things_First_-_Stichting_Company_-_1985-09-26

About me

My name is Willem Wander van Nieuwkerk. The music that I write features performers – to convey a thought, an emotion, and a story to the audience in a virtuoso and intense fashion.

In rehearsal and performance, the performers and I learn a lot from each other. Sometimes their improvisations are included in the musical story. Scores will always be adapted to their needs.

The interplay between performer and composer is absolutely essential in newly written music. As is the interplay between sponsor and composer.

Would you like me to rehearse with you or do you want to know more about a piece?

Do you want me to write a piece for a particular line-up or event?

Please let me know and I will contact you.

Besides composing, I lecture in New Music at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, with a focus on chamber music and music aesthetics. Some of the writing and thinking that I do there can be found in the ‘text’ section.