Louis Andriessen
De Staat (Schoenberg Ensemble feat. conductor: Reinbert de Leeuw)

Sometimes, the birth certificate of a refined composer falls into your hands: as in the case of "De Staat", the composition that more than any other revealed the qualities of Louis Andriessen, born in Utrecht in 1939.

The piece was written between 1972-76: a long gestation for a piece that lasts about 35 minutes. But those were difficult times, and "De Staat" (the republic, in Dutch) proposes itself as politically engaged music. It is inspired by Plato's Republic, where it is said that music is a subversive force in society. However, Andriessen wants to reverse that view: not dangerous enough - he seems to say - despite our efforts, the system always seems to take precedence over free spirits.

Political music (from the same years is another famous piece by Andriessen, "Workers Union", inspired by trade union movements) but completely detached from ideology: even from a musical perspective.

"De Staat" is written for a very original ensemble in terms of instrumentation: about thirty elements (so not a true symphony orchestra, more like a small orchestra) in which the wind instruments stand out (precisely half of the ensemble) and in particular the brass; there are also two electric guitars and a bass, while the strings are represented only by four violas; the text of the great Plato is sung by four female voices...

The music is riotous and very lively, divided without interruption into a dozen main episodes treated in modules: never the instruments and voices all together, but in blocks: now the winds alone, now the two pianos with the brass, now the female choir to which the pianos or brass are added, and so on. The language sometimes recalls American minimalism though filtered through a European sensibility. As if Stravinsky were to meet Steve Reich!

And Andriessen, a younger composer compared to the great names emerging in the '50s, avoids that kind of complexity without any problem, writing music - if not truly tonal - with recognizable centers of gravitation, a sign of stylistic independence as well as determination in affirming his own characteristics.

It results in a piece marked by a strong rhythmic perspective and supported by the timing: nimble, fast, at times menacing, with aggressive sounds, "De Staat" is a successful essay of Andriessen's personality.