Theo Verbey (5 July 1959-13 October 2019) was a Dutch composer of contemporary classical music. His style – which has been described as energetic and appealing – is known for its elegance, rhythmically transparent approach and rich instrumentation. Theo’s orchestral, chamber and vocal works are favorites with listeners and musicians and never fail to touch the hearts of those who hear them. His commitment to teaching has also paved the way for new musicians, creating a legacy that will last for generations to come. Commissioned by Performing Arts Fund NL 12' oboe-solo 2h 4vln 2vla 2vc cb 1st movement: (2 minutes)
A late summer evening in East Amsterdam. A Brazilian tango orchestra rehearses on the third floor of an apartment building on 1st Oosterparkstraat. Moments later, the jazz bassist from the US in the attic begins warming up, and the oboist originally from India on the 2nd floor begins practising his long notes. The counterpoint, separated by floors and ceilings, produces a wonderful sort of multicultural sound. Suddenly, the music freezes in fright when a police car (in the horns) drives past outside. After all, all the residents are undocumented immigrants. When it seems the expected raid is not forthcoming, the playing together resumes and is expanded. Then we hear the police car pass by again (faster this time). The tango orchestra and the jazz bassist decide to call it quits.
2nd movement: (4 minutes)
In the meantime, the mice in the shops on the ground floor begin eagerly searching for food, and the oboists starts practising runs and fragments of melodies, which he thinks he remembers from Mozart. Soon, the Italian opera singer who lives next door wakes up, yawns noisily and sighs before falling back to sleep. This whole thing is only repeated once the oboist has tried to imitate the singer.
– by Theo Verbey 05 Nov 2024 Beethoven, Kodály, Verbey, van Geel, Bulsink, Kyriakides, Hamel, Zuidam, Loevendie, Padding, Tsoupaki, Zimbalist Attend the exciting second round of the 2024 Dutch National Cello Competition. Exact time to be announced. Finalists will perform works by Beethoven, Kodály, and their choice of one of the works below, all commissioned by the past nine editions of the competition. 05 Nov 2023 Verkadefabriek Filmzaal 4 | Den Bosch Astrid HaringSebastiaan KemnerIsabelle HaverkortArjan Jongsma Theo Verbey, Bec Plexus, Anthony Fiumara, Seung Won-Oh, Robin de Raaff, Nick Woud, Klaas de Vries, Aart Strootman, Joep Franssens, Hawar Tawfiq, Tonny Eyk, Kate Moore 05 Nov 2023 Verkadefabriek Filmzaal 4 | Den Bosch Astrid HaringSebastiaan KemnerIsabelle HaverkortArjan Jongsma Theo Verbey, Bec Plexus, Anthony Fiumara, Seung Won-Oh, Robin de Raaff, Nick Woud, Klaas de Vries, Aart Strootman, Joep Franssens, Hawar Tawfiq, Tonny Eyk, Kate Moore 8 Sep 2023 The Dutch National Cello Competition is one of the most exciting part of Amsterdam's famous Cello Biennale. In 2006, founder Maarten Mostert commissioned Theo Verbey to write his 'Five Pieces for Violoncello Solo' for the first edition of the competition, now being held for the ninth time. As Verbey said, 'The subjects of the five movements are partly musical, and partly technical. In terms of content, these pieces are somewhere between etudes and concert pieces.' 12 Aug 2023 Theo Verbey (1959-2019) composed contemporary classical music and lived in Amsterdam’s Watergraafsmeer district. He was and still is relatively well known abroad. After he died, his widow Eileen Stevens established the Theo Verbey Foundation to keep Theo’s music from being forgotten. His music can be heard on Spotify, for example. Oost Online contributor Oscar Smit, celebrated pop music journalist and DJ, had a pleasant conversation with Theo’s widow. 11 Apr 2023 'Hearing Stravinsky’s long-desired but originally unfulfilled version of Les Noces – so compellingly realised between Verbey and these fine musicians – is worth the price of entry alone.' - by Daniel JafféContemporary Classical Music Composer
Second round
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