Tag Archives: Dutch
First international Alkema composition competition
The first international Alkema composition contest calls for scores for piano and saxophone, deadline April 2012, in honor of the late Dutch composer Henk Alkema. Continue reading
Filed under composer, composition, concert, piano
Music of Henk Alkema
Henk Alkema was a prolific composer. Not all his music are catalogued on his website though you can hear many mp3 recordings. Continue reading
Filed under arrangement, composer, composition, mp3, personality, recording, review, sheet music
Retrograde by Mari-anne Hof: from trombone quartet to quatre mains
Mari-anne Hof arranged her trombone quartet Retrograde for four hands, one piano duet. It was the first piece that was selected for sight reading at the Piano Soiree in San Francisco in May 2011. Continue reading
Filed under arrangement, composer, composition, mp3, personality, piano, review, sheet music, sight reading
Peter Cottontail sheet music piano, guitar, lyrics
Bekkers Piano Guitar Duo’s own arrangement from Gene Autry’s version of Peter Cottontail song is now available. Continue reading
Filed under arrangement, composition, concert, piano, research, sheet music
More on likeability: Bob or Robert?
The likeability of Bob Sommers to Bob Bekkers: To make others like you, don’t make them feel uncomfortable or insecure or confused, such as pronouncing your name. Give them a name that’s easy to pronounce. Something that can’t go wrong. Continue reading
Filed under personality, photos, travel
Zeeland tour: 5 concerts in 3 days
Zeeland (pronounced zay – land) is the southern-west-most province of the Netherlands. This 3-day concert tour was arranged for us by Stichting Muziekinhuis, the foundation that places musicians in places where the residents are unable to travel to concert halls. It was a treat to have everything taken care of: concert venues, publicity, payment, accommodation, meals, etc. Continue reading
Life in the USA vs that in Europe
Now that I’ve lived outside the USA for more than a decade, and in particular, on continental Europe for most of the past decade, I daresay that I have absorbed some of that European attitude, especially when compared to the way I was. I’m not sure if going to the USA will bring it all back. I notice the differences when I converse with newly arrived Americans. Continue reading
Cold calling tips for musicians
A cold call is a phone call to someone who has never heard of you, whom you’ve not spoken with before. We don’t always have the luxury of warm calls. We don’t always meet the right people, let alone get introduced to them. How is a musician going to get gigs? How will get expand your concert attendance to beyond your circle of friends, family, colleagues, and neighbours?
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Review: the Real Taiwan and the Dutch
I had always believed that Taiwan was a hotbed of taste explosions, a dense concentration of cuisines from all provinces of China and the best in Asia. I knew the Dutch had some influence in Taiwan, mainly from the golden age of the 17th century when the VOC (Dutch East India Company) had explored the far reaches of Asia. Thus it was both a surprise and a treat to receive the new book “The Real Taiwan and the Dutch” by the former Netherlands Representative Menno Goedhart and American travel writer Cheryl Robbins. Continue reading
William of Rotterdam strikes again: football and music
Inspired by my latest blog “Holland: world cup orange fever,” young William of Rotterdam produced two drawings before end of the day. William plays the piano and will be attending our piano guitar duo concert tomorrow afternoon in Rotterdam. I am looking forward to seeing this young and talented tri-lingual 8-year old in the audience and after the concert. Continue reading
Filed under art, personality
