Vier Letzte Lieder

ByWillem van Merwijk

The Netherlands Wind Ensemble has played a major role in my life for over 30 years. I have been extremely lucky performing with this splendid group and then also being invited to arrange for the ensemble. I owe my performing colleagues, staff members, production crew and directors Bart Schneemann and Niek Wijns so much… Now at the age of 61 and with a new generation of great arrangers coming up and deserving the same opportunities I had I made what will probably be one of my final large arrangements/orchestrations for the band: Richard Strauss’ 4 Last Songs.
We’re now halfway a 13 concert tour in the Netherlands and it has been a thrill. Of course it is all about singing in this tour and a wonderful magical alto-mezzo is enchanting us every night: Carina Vinke. So delicate, so intimate…. She sings like a viola. (my favorite string instrument…) Tonight Concertgebouw Amsterdam. Looking forward. And there is a chance that a serious recording may come out. I’ll keep you posted!

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