Composer: Luc Houtkamp

Line up:

Erik Bosgraaf – recorders

Ere Lievonen – organ

DJ DNA – turntables, electronics

Luc Houtkamp – computer, electronics

Clare Gallagher – sound design

Quatro Concerto is a composition by Dutch composer Luc Houtkamp, who is specialised in interaction between, and melting together of live electronics and acoustic instruments.

Quatro Concerto is written for 4 musicians and a technician: organ, recorders, turntables, computer and electronics. The composition takes 30-35 minutes.

The composition is shaped like a “quatro concerto”, but without orchestra. It consists of four parts, making use of classical compositional structures such as duets, triple and quatro concertos, or the concerto grosso.

In three parts, 2 duo’s are juxtaposed, collaborate and interact together, or accompany each other. In the fourth (not necessarily the last) part, all four instruments are placed at the same level and play with homophony and polyphony.

The composition makes optimal use of the specific characters of the instruments, their differences and similarities, such as:

sound: recorder and organ sound similar; turntables and electronics can reach the entire sound world, from noise to sound and back

mobility: recorder and electronics can both move through the space; DJ and organ both stand still

orchestral possibilities: organ and turntables

musical range: all four instruments have an enormous range in tones (recorder from sopranino to contrabass-recorder)

dynamic range: all instruments but the recorder (but can be amplified)

This piece will premiere on April 12, 2013 at the Orgelpark, Amsterdam. It is our intention to play the piece on several other festivals where an organ is available.

The musicians are each virtuoso players.