Merging Celli
This duo for 2 celli is technically very challenging. It requires a lot of endurance and flexibility from the 2 cellists. Throughout the piece, the 2 cellists dialogue with each other to eventually merge with each other. In the process, the roles of melody and accompaniment are regularly reversed. The tension in this piece is never released so that the audience remains very focused the entire time.
Medieval Dance
This special piece for solo cello is played in scordatura.
The 2 middle strings are tuned 1 tone lower.
This tuning, C F C A instead of C G D A, creates a completely new sound spectrum for the cello. The piece is bathed in a medieval atmosphere.
It is also inspired by an ancient instrument called the hurdy-gurdy, because the technique of the reclining bass and the accompanying strings are used here.
La Capitana
This piece for solo cello is uses a extremely low scordatura that is very unusual. The G string is tuned down a quarter to D. This gives you the tuning C D D A instead of C G D A. The result is a very loose and special sound that creates a fuller spectrum during the piece. The character of the piece is very light.
In this piece, elements of the sea are to be represented, like the wild waves, a ship voyage and sirens. It is characterized by a very dynamic structure with fast and energetic passages but also quiet mystical sections.
It is very accessible to the audience, but also challenging for the cellist to play.
If You Were Still Here
This particular piece for cello and piano is minimalistic in style, yet its character is very emotional. I composed it for a friend who passed away. The piece has a great tension arc in the dynamics that must be well dosed, along with the long bow strokes. The piece is very suitable as an interlude or resting point in a cello recital, but also as music in a memorial service for or farewell to a loved one.
Jebel Musa
I composed this piece for cello solo in 2017, inspired by the refugee crisis in Europe.
I wanted to compose a work in a language that reconnects different religions. I chose the title ‘’Jebel Musa’’ because this mountain was sacred to Christians, Muslims and Jews.
This piece is very expressive, full of tension and it often has a dark atmosphere that describes the predicament of the refugees.
Light Of Life
‘’Light of life’’ is a minimalistic piece for cello and piano. I composed it inspired by the ever-changing play of light. It is very suitable in the middle of a heavy concert program to give the audience a moment to breathe or even bring them into a meditative atmosphere. I used this work several times at concerts and it was always very well appreciated by the audience. Light of life gives the cellist a chance to experiment with phrasing, sound and bow technique.
Odysseus 10
This piece for cello solo uses a scordatura on A-C-G-C. The composition is based on the mythological story about Odysseus. The piece is written in ten movements. They each represent an adventure during Odysseus’ journey home after the Troyan War.
Wedding Day At Troldhaugen
‘’Wedding day at Troldhaugen’’ was originally composed for solo piano. Edvard Grieg wrote it in 1869 as a memento of the 25th wedding anniversary for his wife Nina. My sister practiced and played this wonderful piano piece very often during my childhood and the beautiful melodies have never really left my head. I wanted to play this beautiful work on cello and preferably together with other cellists, so i made an arrangement of it for 6 celli. It is a very pleasant and enjoyable but also challenging piece to play.
La Clé De La Liberté
This composition for cello solo, La clé de la liberté (The key of freedom) is dedicated to Eric Feldbusch, a famous Belgian cellist-composer.
Minuet
This piece is an arrangement of the famous Minuet from the string quintet op. 11, Nr. 5 by Luigi Boccherini for cello solo and string orchestra.
It is a very light and playful piece that fits perfectly as a counterweight of a heavier piece or as an encore. The voices of the string orchestra are orchestrated very lightly which gives the cellist freedom to play in a very relaxed way.