Introducing: Lennart Williams

Lennart Williams is one of the programme makers that are responsible for the programme Contemporary Music that is broadcast on Friday and Sunday at 17:00 CET.

“I am 22 years old and am currently studying musicology at the University of Amsterdam. My study has primarily concerned the history of classical music with an emphasis on the music of the 20th and 21st centuries (if you can still call that classical music). In addition I am also a musician myself, I play classical and electric guitar. I am still taking lessons in classical guitar, and as an electric guitarist I have been in a number of different bands but am unfortunately without a band at the moment.”

Are you only interested in classical music?

“I try to avoid thinking about music in terms of genres and styles. I am very involved with classical music but I also listen to pop music, in particular rock music, and have been in a band that plays folk music. I enjoy a wide range of music and try stay involved in all of it.”

Which forms of contemporary classical music interest you the most?

“I find it difficult to name a preference. What interests me the most were the rapid developments during the early part of the 20th century that have robbed contemporary composers of many opportunities: Schönberg brought an end to tonality and other composers such as Debussy and Satie experimented a great deal with musical forms. The introduced unlimited possibilities but also makes it very difficult for contemporary composers. The way that composers have reacted to this situation interests me. Some experiments have been successful, some have not. Extreme forms of minimalism do nothing for me, but I do enjoy the completely new sounds that can be created using electronics.”

How did you get involved with Contemporary music?

“I originally responded to a vacancy for a classical music programme maker but subsequently moved to the New Music department because of my interest in music composed since 1900. This department was looking for a programme maker for Contemporary Music and I decided that I would do that.”

How often do you produce a programme?

“There are five programme makers for Contemporary music. This means that I usually produce one programme a month.”

How do you learn about interesting new music?

“I have learnt a lot about contemporary music during my studies and this currently provides enough interesting new subjects for my programmes. I often already know enough about the subjects to make the programmes, but there is always my collection of books if I need them.”

What are your plans for future programmes?

“I have lots of plans and would like to produce a series of programmes about a single subject.”

Did you listen to the Concertzender before you started working there?

“The honest answer is No. I knew about the Concertzender but out of habit I always listened to Radio 4. The Concertzender came into the picture when I was looking for a part-time job and it is the educational role of the Concertzender that most interests me as a musicologist. The programmes that I can make for the Concertzender give me the opportunity to use my musical knowledge.”