The Grote, or Jacobijnerkerk in the centre of Leeuwarden hosted Theo Jellema’s spectacular show ‘Dreams of Messiaen’
Translated by Thomas Ansell
Christmas concerts come in all shapes and sizes, but nothing so spectacular as Leeuwarder Jellema’s organ spectacular, which will be performed in the Grote, or Jacobijnerkerk on Monday. The concert has been named ‘Dreams like Messiaen’, and will feature not only beautiful music but also a diverting and spectacular light show. As reported in the Omrop Fryslân.
The show is so much more than just the music of the French composer Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992). The sounds of his christmas music is set to synchronised colourful frames, that dance across the front of the organ piece. They are electronically generated when certain notes are played on the organ.
What results is a hallucinogenic waterfall of light, colour, and sound- which allows audiences to gain an eye into the mind of the composer.
Around 100 people attended the unique performance, which has or will also travel to Amsterdam, Zutphen, Arnhem; Dordrecht, and Goes. Jellema will also play a part of the piece ‘La Nativité du Seignuer’ on the 26 December (the second day of christmas) in the Grote Kerk, at 15:00. However, this will be without the projections.
Image via WikiMedia user Udo Ockema. License here.
