Vriend, Jan

Vriend, Jan, Dutch composer and conductor; b. Sijbekarspel, Nov. 10, 1938. He studied with Ton de Leeuw at the Amsterdam Cons. (1960-67), with Koenig at the Inst. of Sonology at the Univ. of Utrecht (1965-67), and with Xenakis at the Paris Schola Cantorum (1967-68). While in Paris, he also was active with the Groupe de Recherches Musicales of the ORTR Returning to the Netherlands, he was active as a conductor and as a lecturer. He later was active in England and was conductor of the New Stroud Orch. (1989-94). Having taught himself mathematics, he became interested in its applications to music. His works reflect advanced compositional modes of expression.

Works

ORCH: Diamant,“sym. for the Earth” (1964-67); Mater-Muziekfor Orch. and Electronics (1966); Huantanfor Organ and Wind Orch. (1967-68); Bau (1970); Elements of Logicfor Wind Orch. (1972; Scheveningen, Feb. 25, 1973; in collaboration with J. Kunst); Hallelujah II: Ouverture à la Nouvelle alliance (1988) and /: A Symphony of the Northfor Bass Clarinet and Orch. (1990; rev. 1997); ...de origen volcánico,overture (1992). CHAMBER: Pour le flûte (1961); String Quartet (1962-63); Paroesiefor 10 Instruments (1963); Eclipse I: Heterostasefor Flute, Bass Clarinet, and Piano (1981), //: Athema Keramitisfor Flute and Clarinet (1985), and III: Aura (Interlude)for Piano (1994); Toque por la tierra vacíafor 2 Guitars (1981; rev. 1983); Vectorial,“a monument for J.S. Bach” for Oboe, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, 2 Trumpets, and Piano (1983; rev. 1987); Gravity’s Dancefor Piano (1984; rev. 1986); Wu Lifor Cello (1986; rev. 1987); Symbiosisfor 9 Instruments (1993); Piano Quintet (1999); piano pieces; organ music. VOCAL: Transformation (on the way to Halleluja)for Chorus and Orch. (1965-67); Introitus (Hommage to Ton de Leeuw)for Chorus, 6 Clarinets, 2 Bass Clarinets, and 4 Trombones (1969); 3 Songsfor Mezzo-soprano and Orch. (1991); Du-Dich-Dirfor Chorus (1998).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire