Nord

Commissioned by Gaudeamus Muziekweek NL
with financial support from the Nederlands Fonds Podiumkunsten

Organ Plus 2013 | Ulysses Network
Gaudeamus Muziekweek (NL) | Royaumont Foundation (FR) | Time of Music (FI)

Premiere 6.09.2013, Nicolaïkerk, Utrecht | Gaudeamus Muziekweek
Age-Freerk Bokma, organ
Giuliano Bracci, electronics

Program notes
“Nord” is a solo piece for three organs: a Dutch, a Finnish and a French one. I traveled to visit them and to discover their differences and their own qualities. Every organ is unique, its sound has a strong role in the identity of the place and its huge body becomes part of the architecture.
The first time I have heard the Great Organ of Nicolaï Kerk in Utrecht, I was impressed by the fact that it looked as if it was sounding by itself and the sound filled every single corner of the church. With the electronics I wanted to create the same feeling, so “Nord”is a journey from a wide space without human presence to an intimate “chant” of the organ.