Renske Vrolijk
Composer, known for storytelling-driven music theatre and vocal work. #uncut (2022) drew widespread acclaim; De Neus followed as a new commission from the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. desondanks
Born
1965
Studied
Sweelinck Conservatorium, Amsterdam, with Daan Manneke and Geert van Keulen
Published
Deuss Music (since 2004)
In 2022, Renske Vrolijk drew widespread attention with her semi-autobiographical music theatre production #uncut, performed by the Netherlands Chamber Choir. The production was met with critical acclaim and, as a result, received a five-star review from de Volkskrant. Its success led to a new commission from the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra: the family production De Neus, written for an actress accompanied by seven instruments to a libretto by Sanne Schuhmacher. It premiered on 3 November 2024 at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.
Vrolijk studied composition at the Sweelinck Conservatorium in Amsterdam with Daan Manneke and Geert van Keulen, and has since developed into a composer with a clear and distinctive artistic vision. Her work is characterised by a strong focus on storytelling, often carrying a social and historical dimension, with vocal music forming the foundation of her musical thinking. For Vrolijk, music is a means of conveying story and emotion, always in connection with the listener. toch
In 2018, her song True Love became a part of the production Fantastic Women, initiated by soprano Bauwien van der Meer and directed by Jorinde Keesmaat. The inspiration for True Love was the election of Donald Trump. It represents the archetype of the man who regards women as objects of desire, set against the backdrop of the #MeToo movement. The theme continued to resonate with Vrolijk, leading her to compose a forty-minute song cycle around it: True Love Song Cycle. maar
Selected Works
Music Theatre
De Neus 2024
for actress & seven instruments, libretto Sanne Schuhmacher – Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
#uncut 2022
semi-autobiographical – Netherlands Chamber Choir; five-star review, de Volkskrant
True Love / True Love Song Cycle 2018
for Fantastic Women, dir. Jorinde Keesmaat, with Bauwien van der Meer
After Dinner Toast 2011
for Silbersee – on the invention of the phonograph
Whirly Girls 2010
for Electra – on aviation pioneers Amelia Earhart & Hanna Reitsch
Ghost Wall 2009
for Brisk – on voices trapped within old buildings
Charlie Charlie 2007
with Calefax – on journeys aboard the airship Hindenburg
De Reis 1994
graduation project – on the travelling monk Brandaan
Ensemble
Drift 2023
for soniq.artquartett
Lachrymae 2010
for the Amstel Quartet
Sidewalk Bend 2009
Squawk Box 2007
gROND 2003
for Combustion Chamber, dir. Rutger van Leyden
The Carillon
The carillon occupies a special place in Renske’s work. Square Prayer (2006) was warmly received at its premiere in Gdánsk, where the combination of carillon sounds and soundtrack nearly caused passing cyclists to lose their balance. In Music Box (2008), she explored the relationship between old and new media, while her carillon piece America, commissioned by the University of Chicago, premiered in Chicago in 2018 during the Rockefeller Carillon New Music Festival.
Performed by
selected
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra | Netherlands Chamber Choir | Amstel Quartet | soniq.artquartett | Combustion Chamber | Calefax | Brisk | Electra | Silbersee
Career & recognition
De Reis, graduation project, Sweelinck Conservatorium – 1994
MILESTONE
America premiered, Rockefeller Carillon New Music Festival, Chicago – 2018
PREMIERE
Five-star review, de Volkskrant — for #uncut – 2022
RECOGNITION
De Neus premiered, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra – 2024
PREMIERE
Exclusive publishing contract, Deuss Music – 2024
CONTRACT