Concertzender Newsletter

Editorial

In March, there is once again a diverse palette of wonderful music to listen to

In this newsletter, attention is paid to guitar music, both in jazz and inspired by Bach: it is all possible here at the Concertzender.

A new programme is starting in honor of the 750th anniversary of the city of Amsterdam and we can listen back to the minimal work of composer Tom Johnson.

And don't forget: there is much more to listen back to! Also browse through the many variations of world music on our World of Jazz platform, such as in programs such as El Mundo, O Brazil de Lil, World Minerals and Mariama.

Wishing you a great month, full of musical inspiration!

On demand

Theme: Contemporary

In Memoriam Tom Johnson

On December 31, 2024, American composer Tom Johnson passed away at the age of 85. He was known for his unique minimal compositions. He was also a music critic for The Village Voice in New York, where he wrote about the work of Philip Glass and Steve Reich, among others.

Many of his reports are available online via The Voice of New Music. Johnson was the first to use the term ‘minimal music’. Listen back to our broadcast, in which we hear classics such as Narayana’s Cows and Pascal’s Triangle, but also works for string quartet and saxophone, for example.

Listen: Theme, broadcast Wednesday 26 February.

Saturday March 1st

Theme: Jazz | World of Jazz

Jazz Behind the Dikes: part 2 about hardbop drummer Eric Ineke

In this final broadcast about the long career of drummer Eric Ineke, you will hear music from the last 25 years of his now 60-year career. The programme starts with Ineke's collaboration with saxophonist/flutist/composer David Liebman (2008 and 2016).

Eric Ineke This American was very active in Europe, and was the first improvising musician to play with the world-famous French Ensemble Intercontemporain, founded by Pierre Boulez.

Since 2006, Ineke has led his Eric Ineke JazzXpress - a quintet together with musicians from a younger generation. In the broadcast we will play music from a recording from 2008, with vocalist Deborah Brown, trombonist Bart van Lier and altoist Benjamin Herman as guests.

His collaboration with vibraphonist Steve Nelson and bassist Joris Teepe is also featured, and of course Ineke's recent album Swing Street from 2024. This CD is dedicated to the music of Cannonball Adderley. In the sextet line-up, a special role has been assigned to alto saxophonist Tineke Postma.

Listen: Jazz Behind the Dikes, Saturday March 1st, 20:00 - 21:00 CET.

Wednesday March 5th

Theme: Contemporary

Bach as inspiration for guitar music

This month in our series on guitar music from the last century, we hear works inspired by Johann Sebastian Bach. Although Bach did not live in the twentieth century, he left his mark on the work of many composers of that time.

We hear several musical tributes to Bach, including those by Heitor Villa-Lobos and Alexandre Tansman. We also hear music by Bach himself, not on the lute but on the guitar.

Listen: The Last Century, Wednesday 5 March, 19:00 – 20:00 CET.

photo: Heitor Villa-Lobos

Saturday March 15th

Theme: Jazz

Three programmes with a bop guitar theme

In this mini-series we listen to a father and his son, the guitarists Jimmy Raney & Doug Raney. Jimmy Raney (1927-1995) worked with Red Norvo, Stan Getz, Bob Brookmeyer, and was also in the orchestras of Artie Shaw and Woody Herman.

Jimmy & Doug Raney The New York Times described him as "one of the most gifted and influential postwar jazz guitarists in the world".

The first episode highlights music from Jimmy Raney from the 1976 album Live in Tokyo featuring bassist Sam Jones and drummer Leroy Williams. The second episode is dedicated to Doug Raney (1956-2016), with recordings for the Steeplechase label, and in the last episode we hear them together (Stolen Moments on Steeple Chase and Raney '81 on Criss Cross.)

Listen: House of Hard Bop, the first of three episodes with a bop guitar theme, Saturday 15 March, 17:00 - 18:00 CET.

foto: Jimmy & Doug Raney

Thursdays March 6th and 20th

Theme: Early | Cultural Interfaces

New series: Amsterdam 750 years - Sweelinck and music publisher Estienne Roger

The Concertzender is broadcasting a new series as part of the run-up to Amsterdam's 750th anniversary that will be celebrated later this year on October 27th. In this series we shine the spotlight on musicians from Amsterdam who have played an important role in the city.

The first episode focuses on the composer Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck, also known as 'The Amsterdam Orpheus'. He played an important role in the musical life of the city, especially as an organist.

In episode two we delve into the work of the music publisher Estienne Roger and the price war between him and the other music publisher at the time, Pieter Mortier. Roger came to Amsterdam as a French Huguenot refugee and learned the music publishing trade in Amsterdam. He published more than 500 scores and printed works by Albinoni, Bustijn, Corelli, Scarlatti, Schenck and many others.

Listen: Documento - Amsterdam 750 years, episode 1, Thursday 6 March 2025, 21:00 - 22:00 CET

Listen: Documento - Amsterdam 750 years, episode 2, Thursday 20 March 2025, 21:00 - 22:00 CET