'Far from Home' Bjarnason world premiere with Hollingworth, NKK & Calefax

13 March 2014

Robert Hollingworth © Danny Higgins

Conductor Robert Hollingworth tours Far from Home with the Nederlands Kamerkoor, Calefax & director Dagmar Slagmolen from 14 March to 3 April. Showcasing music which originated in extremes and from the farthest corners of the earth, the programme examines how an artist deals with loneliness, isolation, banishment, rejection and homesickness. The programme includes the world première of a new work by Daniel Bjarnason written especially for the project as well as pieces by Monteverdi, Martland & Ockeghem.

In examining its subject Far from Home highlights music composed in a concentration camp, a lament about fear and desire from a princess abandoned in a labyrinth, and a piece of music by a banished galley slave. Plus: the detached view of the earth from space, the productive influence of two cultures that combine, and music by an Icelandic composer with text by a South African poetess.

"As the choir gets to grips with singing tricky choral music and doing other things at the same time (reminding me of our beautiful Faust project back in 2004), I am enjoying watching Dagmar Slagmolen's concept come to life. I see strong design elements of Magritte with a lot of thought about what it means to be alone, with strong overtones of a European city mid-world wars. As an ensemble musician, it's a joy for me to watch five-man wind ensemble Calefax work. Precision, freedom, expression: almost as good as a solo-voice ensemble... The choir has gone through a lot of changes as Dutch public funding system has been radically 'reformed'. I find them in good heart, good voice and open mind."
Robert Hollingworth

The tour opens in Utrecht on 14 March, travelling to Rotterdam, Alkmaar, Leeuwarden and Heerlen before closing at the Muziekgebouw Aan’t Ij in Amsterdam on 3 April.

For more information about the collaboration or to book tickets please visit the NKK website.