De Ruigewaard

De Ruigewaard is a large polder (reclaimed land protected by dykes) in the Dutch province of Groningen. Shortly after the land was reclaimed around 1500, a settlement was established at the location of the current village of Grijpskerk. This was the source of inspiration for this concert work, together with a 13th-century Gregorian theme - the Dies Irae - which is used as a leitmotiv.After the introduction follow five variations, in randon order - however, each one of them carries us back to a striking moment in the history of Grijpskerk, home of the Excelsior Christian Music Association (CMV), who commissioned this work on the occasion of its participation in theWMC in Kerkrade (the Netherlands) in 2013.