Guus Janssen (1951- )
Guus
Janssen studied piano and composition at the Sweelinck Academy of
Music in Amsterdam. His music is difficult to categorize. It can be a
composed improvisation (Brake for piano solo) or an improvised
composition (parts from his Violin Concerto or his opera Noach).
Music
is like life itself, sometimes it asks for fast decisions and sometimes
it needs to be thought over a lot. As a pianist and harpsichordist he
performed in various groupings with musicians from John Zorn to Gidon
Kremer. Since the early 1980’s he has led his own ensembles, ranging
from piano trios to an 11 piece band and opera orchestra. As a soloist,
playing mainly his own compositions and improvisations, he has appeared
at numerous international festivals. In addition he has performed
with
many of the leading Dutch ensembles and orchestras. Janssen’s
achievements in the field of jazz and improvised music have been widely
acclaimed. It was for them that he received the Boy Edgar Award, 1981.
His compositions, quite apart from the pieces written for the Janssen
ensembles, range from piano music and string quartet to symphonic work;
they have been widely played by, amongst others, the Kronos Quartet,
the Schönberg Ensemble, the Ebony Band and the Koninklijk
Concertgebouworkest. In recognition of his standing and quality as a
composer, Janssen won the Matthijs Vermeulen Award, 1984. In
addition, Janssen was recently honoured with the prestigious Johan
Wagenaar Award for his
whole oeuvre.COMPOSITIONS Janssen Links ~ ~ ~ Works by Genre
Muziek voor 6 houtblazers, flute, oboe, 2 clarinets, bass clarinet and bassoon (1972)
Gieter, orchestra (1973)
Strijkkwartet no. 1 (String Quartet No. 1) (1973-75)
Brake, piano (1974)
Met spoed, bass clarinet and piano (1975)
Muziek voor geëlectrificeerde hobo, oboe and electronics (1975)
Dans van de Malic Matrijzen [Dance of the de Malic Moulds], wind instruments and piano (1976-77)
Octet, 5 wind instruments and 3 string instruments (1978)
Vijf kreukels, 1 to 3 accordions (1979)
Ritmische etude, barrel-organ (1979)
Toonen, chamber orchestra (1980)
Streepjes (String Quartet No. 2) (1981)
Juist daarom, oboe, clarinet, soprano sax, cello and piano (1981)
Ut, re, mi, sol, la, wind quintet, string quintet and piano (1982)
Danspassen, clarinet/bass cl, violin, cello, mandoline and guitar (1982)
Dik en dun, carillon (1982) [also arr. for piano]
Ouverture Aanvallen van uitersten, speaker and orchestra (1983) [text: Moniek Toebosch]
Temet, flute/picc/bass fl, violin, cello and harp (1983; rev. 1984)
Woeha, ensemble [13 players] (1984)
Sprezzatura, bass clarinet (1984)
Wandelweer, 3 guitars (1984)
Bruuks, small ensemble (1985)
PF, piano, alto saxophone and percussion (1985)
Zonder, 4-part chamber choir (1986) [text: Friso Haverkamp]
Deviaties, chamber orchestra (1986)
Voetnoot I, piccolo (1987)
Voetnoot II, Zwaanenburg alto flute (1987)
Faust’s licht, mezzo-soprano, 4 speakers and str qt (1985/1986; rev. 1988) [text:Friso Haverkamp, after Gertrude Stein]
- Faust’s licht, mezzo-soprano, speaker and string quartet (1994 version)
Keer, orchestra (1988)
Functional, piano (1988)
Pogo 3, harpsichord (1989)
Largo, recorder (1989)
Garni, baritone and ensemble [10 players] (1990)
Voetnoot III, 2 flutes (1990)
Ijoh, tenor saxophone (1990)
Veranderingen, 2 pianos (1990)
Zangbodem, recorder quartet and piano (1990)
Ready mades (7 pieces), piano (1990) [for the advanced amateur]
Dodo’s Groove, bass voice and ensemble (1991) [text: Friso Haverkamp] [preparatory study for "Noach", 1993]
Concerto for Piccolo and Wind Orchestra (1991)
Winter, gamelan orchestra (1991)
Echo’s en fantasieën, organ (1991)
Wening, soprano, clarinet, string quartet and tape (1992)
Bah Rock, flute (1992)
Noach, opera in 5 acts (1991-93) [libretto: Friso Haverkamp]
Zoek, piccolo, harpsichord and string orchestra (1993) [arr. 1998 for piccolo, clarinet, violin, cello and harpsichord]
Bala II, short film score (1993)
Passevite, ensemble (1994)
Klotz, violin, hi-hat and small ensemble (1994)
Toestand, ensemble (1995)
Mikado, violin, cello and piano (1995)
Tapdance, harp and small percussion (1995)
Tot ziens, piano (1995)
De zaterdageditie, newspaper boy, conductor and ensemble (1996)
Verstelwerk, tenor saxophone, piano, percussionist and orchestra (1996)
Snarenwerk, mandoline, guitar, harp, harpsichord, violin, viola, cello and double bass (1996)
Blauwbrug, piano (1996)
Strijklicht, cello (1996)
Dutch Dub, chamber orchestra (1997)
Bocht, solo percussionist (1997)
Basset, 3 basset horns (1998)
Bok, violin (1999)
Hier° (Here°), opera bouffa deep down A.P. in 32 scenes (1996-2000) [libretto: Friso Haverkamp]
Side wings, chamber orchestra (2000)
Ojee-muziek, big band (2000)
Harm, harmonium (2000)
Nevenzon, flute, oboe and piano (2000)
Weer Om Stuit, violin and electric guitar (2000)
Pruledium an Momba, organ and string orchestra (2001)
Karton, saxophone quartet (2001)
Memory Protect Alias, clarinet (2001)
Oempah, flute, clarinet, violin, cello and piano (2001)
Violinconcerto, improvising violinist and orchestra (2002)
- Concerto for Clarinet and Ensemble (2003) [stripped down version of Violinconcerto, 2002]
- Concerto for 3 Clarinets and Chamber Ensemble (2005) [adaptation of Concerto for Clarinet and Ensemble, 2004]
An Elegy on the Death of a mad Dog, countertenor, lute, gamba and recorder quartet (2003)
Janssen treft Scarlatti, ensemble, percussion, 2 harpsichords, double bass and tape (2003)
Speelkwartier, 2 toy pianos (2003)
Zeeweg, oboe, clarinet, alto sax, bass clarinet and bassoon (2003)
Straatweg, 3 piccolos and 3 percussionists (2003)
Corpulento, bass saxophone (2003)
Estampie, organ (2003)
I’m asleep, violin and orchestra (2004)
Memory Protect Extended, clarinet and piano (both improvising) and chamber orchestra (2004)
Wankeling, 2 pianos (2004)
Spagaat, flute and piano (2004)
Troost voor Daisy, violin (2004)
Choo Choo Jazz, violin, bass clarinet, percussion, piano and bass guitar (2004)
Van Ha Re Ti Ee, alto, recorder, violin, bass clarinet, trombone, guitar, piano and double bass (2005)
Enkele vreemde teksten, mezzo-soprano, panflute, duduk, Qanun, perc, erhu, gamba & double bass (2005) [text: Jan Hanlo]
Pozzuoli, Eb clarinet, oboe, violin, viola and double bass (2005)
Amen, Over, violin and piano (2005)
De Meesterfout, saxophone quartet (2005)
Tenslotte, string quartet (2005)
Spiegeling, oboe, clarinet, alto sax, bass clarinet, bassoon string quartet and double bass (2005)
Mercimisha, trombone and bass trombone (2005)
Hemelse Herrie, flute, bass clarinet, violin, cello, trumpet, tuba, percussion and soundman (2005)
Ha Hu Baley (6 songs), mezzo-soprano, viola and piano (2006) [text: Hugo Ball]
Mestra, soprano, violin, marimba and treble recorder (2006)
Dutch Mambo, orchestra (2006)
Rahoe!, recorder quartet (2006)
O Mistris Myne, recorder, harpsichord, viola da gamba and bass clarinet (2006)
Oortjespad, harmonium (2006)
Genoeg, harmonium (2006)
Café Society Downtown, string quartet (2007)
Belvédère, 2 cellos and orchestra (2007)
Snarenwerk, ensemble (2007)
Explicaties, ensemble (2007)
Four Songs, sheng and orchestra (2008)
Ex Tempore, ensemble (2008)
Enkele Volzinnen, soprano and piano (2009) [9 songs on aphorisms by Evert Rinsema]
Mijn keizerlijk gewaad, declamator, 8 wind instruments and double bass (2009) [text: Frank Starik]
Two Songs and a Tear, 3 sopranos and chamber orchestra (2009) [adaptation of 2 songs and "Lachrima 4" by John Dowland]
Stormen en Dringen, ensemble (2009)
Blue a Pinnocchio in reverse, opera for mezzo-soprano, countertenor, actor and orchestra (2010)
Vrije Tijd, piano and ensemble (2010)
Monster, ensemble and projected 'moving' poem (2010) [text: Tonnus Oosterhoff]
Blue Yellow & Red Notes, improvising pianist and string quartet (2011)
Cardboard, bass clarinet (2011)
Passgang, sheng organ and percussion (2011)
Kabaal, 'tuptofoon' and ensemble (2011)
Blue Yellow & Red Notes, improvising pianist and string quartet (2011)
Two Reels and an Air, panflute and guitar (2011)
Tafelmanieren, ensemble [15 players] (2012)
WORKS BY GENRE Janssen Links ~ top of page ~
Dramatic/Theater
Faust’s licht, opera, mezzo-soprano, 4 speakers and str qt (1985/1986; rev. 1988) [text:Friso Haverkamp, after Gertrude Stein]
- Faust’s licht, mezzo-soprano, speaker and string quartet (1994 version)
Noach, opera in 5 acts (1991-93) [libretto: Friso Haverkamp]
Hier° (Here°), opera bouffa deep down A.P. in 32 scenes (1996-2000) [libretto: Friso Haverkamp]
Blue, a Pinnocchio in reverse, opera for mezzo-soprano, countertenor, actor and orchestra (2010) [libretto: Friso Haverkamp]
Orchestra
Gieter, orchestra (1973)
Toonen, chamber orchestra (1980)
Ouverture Aanvallen van uitersten, speaker and orchestra (1983) [text: Moniek Toebosch]
Deviaties, chamber orchestra (1986)
Keer, orchestra (1988)
Dutch Dub, chamber orchestra (1997)
Side wings, chamber orchestra (2000)
Dutch Mambo, orchestra (2006)
Band/Big Band
Ojee-muziek, big band (2000)
Soloist(s) w/Orchestra
Concerto for Piccolo and Wind Orchestra (1991)
Zoek, piccolo, harpsichord and string orchestra (1993) [arr. 1998 for piccolo, clarinet, violin, cello and harpsichord]
Verstelwerk, tenor saxophone, piano, percussionist and orchestra (1996)
Pruledium an Momba, organ and string orchestra (2001)
Violinconcerto, improvising violinist and orchestra (2002)
- Concerto for Clarinet and Ensemble (2003) [stripped down version of Violinconcerto, 2002]
- Concerto for 3 Clarinets and Chamber Ensemble (2005) [adaptation of Concerto for Clarinet and Ensemble, 2004]
I’m asleep, violin and orchestra (2004)
Memory Protect Extended, clarinet and piano (both improvising) and chamber orchestra (2004)
Belvédère, 2 cellos and orchestra (2007)
Four Songs, sheng and orchestra (2008)
Choral
Zonder, 4-part chamber choir (1986) [text: Friso Haverkamp]
Chamber
Muziek voor 6 houtblazers, flute, oboe, 2 clarinets, bass clarinet and bassoon (1972)
Strijkkwartet no. 1 (String Quartet No. 1) (1973-75)
Dans van de Malic Matrijzen [Dance of the de Malic Moulds], wind instruments and piano (1976-77)
Octet, 5 wind instruments and 3 string instruments (1978)
Vijf kreukels, 1 to 3 accordions (1979)
Streepjes (String Quartet No. 2) (1981)
Juist daarom, oboe, clarinet, soprano sax, cello and piano (1981)
Ut, re, mi, sol, la, wind quintet, string quintet and piano (1982)
Danspassen, clarinet/bass cl, violin, cello, mandoline and guitar (1982)
Temet, flute/picc/bass fl, violin, cello and harp (1983; rev. 1984)
Woeha, ensemble [13 players] (1984)
Wandelweer, 3 guitars (1984)
Bruuks, small ensemble (1985)
PF, piano, alto saxophone and percussion (1985)
Voetnoot III, 2 flutes (1990)
Zangbodem, recorder quartet and piano (1990)
Winter, gamelan orchestra (1991)
Passevite, ensemble (1994)
Klotz, violin, hi-hat and small ensemble (1994)
Toestand, ensemble (1995)
Mikado, violin, cello and piano (1995)
Tapdance, harp and small percussion (1995)
De zaterdageditie, newspaper boy, conductor and ensemble (1996)
Snarenwerk, mandoline, guitar, harp, harpsichord, violin, viola, cello and double bass (1996)
Basset, 3 basset horns (1998)
Zoek, piccolo, clarinet, violin, cello and harpsichord (1998) [arr. from work for insts and string orch]
Nevenzon, flute, oboe and piano (2000)
Weer Om Stuit, violin and electric guitar (2000)
Karton, saxophone quartet (2001)
Oempah, flute, clarinet, violin, cello and piano (2001)
Janssen treft Scarlatti, ensemble, percussion, 2 harpsichords, double bass and tape (2003)
Concerto for Clarinet and Ensemble (2003) [stripped down version of Violinconcerto, 2002]
Zeeweg, oboe, clarinet, alto sax, bass clarinet and bassoon (2003)
Straatweg, 3 piccolos and 3 percussionists (2003)
Choo Choo Jazz, violin, bass clarinet, percussion, piano and bass guitar (2004)
Concerto for 3 Clarinets and Chamber Ensemble (2005) [adaptation of Concerto for Clarinet and Ensemble, 2004]
Pozzuoli, Eb clarinet, oboe, violin, viola and double bass (2005)
De Meesterfout, saxophone quartet (2005)
Tenslotte, string quartet (2005)
Spiegeling, oboe, clarinet, alto sax, bass clarinet, bassoon string quartet and double bass (2005)
Mercimisha, trombone and bass trombone (2005)
Hemelse Herrie, flute, bass clarinet, violin, cello, trumpet, tuba, percussion and soundman (2005)
Rahoe!, recorder quartet (2006)
O Mistris Myne, recorder, harpsichord, viola da gamba and bass clarinet (2006)
Café Society Downtown, string quartet (2007)
Snarenwerk, ensemble (2007)
Explicaties, ensemble (2007)
Ex Tempore, ensemble (2008)
Stormen en Dringen, ensemble (2009)
Vrije Tijd, piano and ensemble (2010)
Monster, ensemble and projected 'moving' poem (2010) [text: Tonnus Oosterhoff]
Blue Yellow & Red Notes, improvising pianist and string quartet (2011)
Passgang, sheng organ and percussion (2011)
Kabaal, 'tuptofoon' and ensemble (2011)
Blue Yellow & Red Notes, improvising pianist and string quartet (2011)
Two Reels and an Air, panflute and guitar (2011)
Tafelmanieren, ensemble [15 players] (2012)
Instrument and Piano
Met spoed, bass clarinet and piano (1975)
Spagaat, flute and piano (2004)
Amen, Over, violin and piano (2005)
Solo Instrument
Muziek voor geëlectrificeerde hobo, oboe and electronics (1975)
Vijf kreukels, 1 to 3 accordions (1979)
Dik en dun, carillon (1982)
Sprezzatura, bass clarinet (1984)
Voetnoot I, piccolo (1987)
Voetnoot II, Zwaanenburg alto flute (1987)
Largo, recorder (1989)
Ijoh, tenor saxophone (1990)
Bah Rock, flute (1992)
Strijklicht, cello (1996)
Bocht, solo percussionist (1997)
Bok, violin (1999)
Memory Protect Alias, clarinet (2001)
Corpulento, bass saxophone (2003)
Troost voor Daisy, violin (2004)
Cardboard, bass clarinet (2011)
Piano/Organ/Barrel-Organ/Harpsichord/Harmonium
Brake, piano (1974)
Ritmische etude, barrel-organ (1979)
Dik en dun, piano (1982) [originally for carillon]
Functional, piano (1988)
Pogo 3, harpsichord (1989)
Veranderingen, 2 pianos (1990)
Ready mades (7 pieces), piano (1990) [for the advanced amateur]
Echo’s en fantasieën, organ (1991)
Tot ziens, piano (1995)
Blauwbrug, piano (1996)
Harm, harmonium (2000)
Speelkwartier, 2 toy pianos (2003)
Estampie, organ (2003)
Wankeling, 2 pianos (2004)
Oortjespad, harmonium (2006)
Genoeg, harmonium (2006)
Vocal
Faust’s licht, opera, mezzo-soprano, 4 speakers and str qt (1985/1986; rev. 1988) [text:Friso Haverkamp, after Gertrude Stein]
- Faust’s licht, mezzo-soprano, speaker and string quartet (1994 version)
Garni, baritone and ensemble [10 players] (1990)
Dodo’s Groove, bass voice and ensemble (1991) [text: Friso Haverkamp] [preparatory study for "Noach", 1993]
Wening, soprano, clarinet, string quartet and tape (1992)
An Elegy on the Death of a mad Dog, countertenor, lute, gamba and recorder quartet (2003)
Van Ha Re Ti Ee, alto, recorder, violin, bass clarinet, trombone, guitar, piano and double bass (2005)
Enkele vreemde teksten, mezzo-soprano, panflute, duduk, Qanun, perc, erhu, gamba & double bass (2005) [text: Jan Hanlo]
Ha Hu Baley (6 songs), mezzo-soprano, viola and piano (2006) [text: Hugo Ball]
Mestra, soprano, violin, marimba and treble recorder (2006)
Enkele Volzinnen, soprano and piano (2009) [9 songs on aphorisms by Evert Rinsema]
Mijn keizerlijk gewaad, declamator, 8 wind instruments and double bass (2009) [text: Frank Starik]
Two Songs and a Tear, 3 sopranos and chamber orchestra (2009) [adaptation of 2 songs and "Lachrima 4" by John Dowland]
Film
Bala II, short film score (1993)
Electronic/Electroacoustic
Muziek voor geëlectrificeerde hobo, oboe and electronics (1975)
Janssen treft Scarlatti, ensemble, percussion, 2 harpsichords, double bass and tape (2003)
JANSSEN LINKS Works by Genre ~ top of page ~
Composer's website . . . contact Guus Janssen: here
Janssen @ Wikipedia
Janssen @ Wikipedia.nl (in Dutch)
Janssen @ Classical Composers Database
Janssen @ composition:today
Janssen @ Donemus (translated by Google)
Janssen @ Europe Jazz Network
Janssen @ IMDb (Internet Movie Database)
Janssen @ InstantEncore
Janssen @ Klassika
Janssen @ Kunstkanaal (in Dutch)
Janssen @ Muziekencyclopedie (translated by Google)
Janssen @ MusicWeb International
Janssen @ The New York Times
Janssen @ REC Music Foundation /The Lied and Art Song Texts Page
Janssen @ Frits van der Waa (translated by Google)
Publisher
Janssen @ Composer's website
Streaming Audio
Janssen @ Composer's website
Janssen @ last.fm
Janssen @ Radio 4
Recordings
Janssen @ Composer's website
Janssen @ Amazon.com
Janssen @ ArkivMusic
Janssen @ CD Universe
Janssen @ ClassicsOnline
Janssen @ Discogs
Janssen @ Muziekweb
Video
Janssen @ YouTube
Janssen @ Google Video
Janssen @ Vimeo
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