On Saturday 29 November in Splendor there will take place the fourth Samsoniade dedicated to music of René Samson.

The highlight of this fourth Samsoniade is René’s Kultuurtuin kawina, composed in 2013 on commission from the Caribbean Literature Working Group. For this piece, René selected poems by Surinamese poets Michaël Slory en Bernardo Ashetu, with texts in both Dutch and Sranantongo. The concert is worth attending for that alone – especially thanks to the stunning interpretation by mezzo-soprano Fanny Alofs, who brings the Sranantongo to life as a non-native speaker.

Also on the programme are Contrasting Moods for flute, clarinet, piano and percussion, and Murmurs and Cries for flute and bass clarinet.

René’s scores are always accompanied by detailed introductions and precise references to other composers quoted in the music. Whereas Ravel featured prominently in the third Samsoniade, this time we’ll hear a delightful selection of songs by Francis Poulenc, as well as his flute and clarinet sonatas.

Program:

René Samson: Contrasting moods (2011)

René Samson: Murmurs and cries (2005)

René Samson: Kultuurtuin Kawina (2013)

Francis Poulenc : Sonate voor fluit en piano

Francis Poulenc : Sonate voor klarinet en piano

Francis Poulenc:  Songs