Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Lukas Foss. Barbara Borden as the soprano.
I - 0:00
Frassens's "Taking the Waters" was composed on 1990 (other dates say 1991 or 1995). A version for 4 pianos was realised on 1991, being later revised on 2018. Unfortunately no more info on the work has been found.
After completing his musical studies with Louis Andriessen and Klaas de Vries, Franssens became inspired by Ligeti’s micropolyphony and the phase-shifting technique of Steve Reich. The relationship with Ligeti’s music becomes clear in works written in the eighties such as "Echo’s" and "Phasing". The influence of Reich can already be heard in "Between the Beats", an early piece for two pianos. During the nineties, Franssens’ sound became more open and more optimistic in tone. Because of the melodious, generous and emotional character of his music, he encountered growing resistance within the Dutch music scene. Contrarily he received growing acclaim by a wider audience. His first CD with "Echo’s", "Phasing" and "Sanctus" was a hit.
The work opens with a series of motives and ostinato figures on full orchestra, moving at different speeds in counterpoint and portraying waves and currents like a river. The influence of Steve Reich, and minimalism in general, is clearly audible. There is also a predominance of consonant harmonies and clear and warm textures. The music slowly grows in a crescendo, which leads to the first radiant climax, in which the soprano joins vocalizing. Then shortly after reach a second luminous and more sustained climax, acquiring a more clear and unified rhythmic pattern. The motives and ostinatos are then recapitulated as they appeared at the beginning,
Picture: Photograph of the Amstel from the banks of Amsterdam's Watergraafsmeer district. In the background, the setting sun illuminates the towering clouds (2024).
Musical analysis written by myself. Source: tinyurl.com/2brun3zn
Unfortunately, the score is not freely available.
Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Lukas Foss. Barbara Borden as the soprano.
I - 0:00
Frassens's "Taking the Waters" was composed on 1990 (other dates say 1991 or 1995). A version for 4 pianos was realised on 1991, being later revised on 2018. Unfortunately no more info on the work has been found.
After completing his musical studies with Louis Andriessen and Klaas de Vries, Franssens became inspired by Ligeti’s micropolyphony and the phase-shifting technique of Steve Reich. The relationship with Ligeti’s music becomes clear in works written in the eighties such as "Echo’s" and "Phasing". The influence of Reich can already be heard in "Between the Beats", an early piece for two pianos. During the nineties, Franssens’ sound became more open and more optimistic in tone. Because of the melodious, generous and emotional character of his music, he encountered growing resistance within the Dutch music scene. Contrarily he received growing acclaim by a wider audience. His first CD with "Echo’s", "Phasing" and "Sanctus" was a hit.
The work opens with a series of motives and ostinato figures on full orchestra, moving at different speeds in counterpoint and portraying waves and currents like a river. The influence of Steve Reich, and minimalism in general, is clearly audible. There is also a predominance of consonant harmonies and clear and warm textures. The music slowly grows in a crescendo, which leads to the first radiant climax, in which the soprano joins vocalizing. Then shortly after reach a second luminous and more sustained climax, acquiring a more clear and unified rhythmic pattern. The motives and ostinatos are then recapitulated as they appeared at the beginning,
Picture: Photograph of the Amstel from the banks of Amsterdam's Watergraafsmeer district. In the background, the setting sun illuminates the towering clouds (2024).
Musical analysis written by myself. Source: tinyurl.com/2brun3zn
Unfortunately, the score is not freely available.
