The closing concert that concluded the festivities in the context of 100 years of Woudkapel in June 2023 was a success. That is why Wies de Greef (mezzo-soprano), Kees Hulsmann (violin), Annemarie Konijnenburg (viola), Marian Bolt (piano) and Mariëtte Landheer (cello), all living in Bilthoven, decided to once again pay tribute to composers who also had or have a link with this place. This results in a varied programme with chamber music and songs by Julius Röntgen, Henriëtte van den Brandeler, Willem Pijper, Ton de Leeuw and Rita Hijmans, among others. A programme that shows that music has been made to the heart’s content in Bilthoven for decades: in the Woudkapel, but also in Huize Gaudeamus and in De Werkplaats.

Perhaps the best-known person and place in Bilthoven is the name Julius Röntgen and (his) Huize Gaudeamus. Röntgen lived in the characteristic house, designed by his son, after his retirement, from 1925 until his death in 1932. Well-known musicians from home and abroad soon found their way to Gaudeamus. Röntgen played chamber music with his sons. One of his string trios will be played at the concert on 10 May.

Huize Gaudeamus also played a special role during and after the Second World War. Thanks to Walter Maas (who went into hiding there), Gaudeamus became a household name from 1947 onwards because of the annual music week for beginning composers. One of them was Ton de Leeuw, whose sonatina for violin and piano will be performed.

But more happened in the field of music in Bilthoven during those years. One of the founders of the Woudkapel, which celebrated its centenary in 2023, was the composer Henriette van den Brandeler. At the time, she also led the music practice there. Her songs will certainly have sounded in the Woudkapel. The song ‘Vrede’, written during the First World War, is sung by this now forgotten composer, a plea for better times.

Evert Cornelis also settled in Bilthoven when he became conductor of the Utrecht Municipal Orchestra. In Sparrenhove, his small villa on the Soestdijkseweg, he received greats such as Arthur Honegger. His colleague Willem Pijper camped in the Houten Huis (behind villa Waldo), where he wrote his reviews for the Utrechts Dagblad and composed. One of his ‘Verlaine songs’ will be sung.

Music is still being written in Bilthoven today. During the concert, you can listen to the work Cellust by the contemporary composer Rita Hijmans (*1948), who also breathed new life into the Werkplaats.

Program:

Henriëtte van den Brandeler (1884-1985)        Vrede (Boutens), voice and piano

Rita Hijmans (1948)                                          Cel-lust ‘Overpeinzingen’, cello and piano (dedicated to  Nadia David)

Julius Röntgen (1855-1932)                            String Trio nr. 2 ‘Dvorák’ 

Willem Pijper (1894-1947)                               Pantomime (Verlaine), voice and piano

Henriëtte Bosmans (1895 – 1952)                Nuit calme, transcription for viola and piano –  très lent

Ton de Leeuw  (1926-1996)                              Sonatine, violin and piano –  vivace, lento, tempo I