Louis Andriessen door Jacqueline Oskamp

Louis Andriessen (1939-2021) wrote history with the devastating piece 'De Staat' (1976). Other major works, such as 'De Materie', also became world famous. Towards the end of his life, Andriessen was even more appreciated in Great Britain and the US than in the Netherlands. Louis Andriessen was born as an afterthought into a renowned family of musicians. Thanks to the reputation of his father, composer Hendrik Andriessen, the red carpet rolls out for him everywhere. He is a typical child of the sixties: against the war in Vietnam, in favor of accessible art, anti-authoritarian, in favor of free love. Cultural Netherlands gets to know Andriessen as a smart, witty man who is never shy of a one-liner. Behind that bravado lies a complex personality. He has a great need for harmony, but often creates conflictual situations himself. Jacqueline Oskamp was given access to Andriessen's private archive, which includes hundreds of unpublished letters. With 'Groots is de Liefde' she wrote a catchy biography in which she highlights unsuspected sides of the composer. Jacqueline Oskamp worked for many years as a (music) critic and journalist for De Groene Amsterdammer, De Volkskrant and Vrij Nederland, among others. She has previously published books about Dutch music, such as 'Onder Current. History of electronic music in the Netherlands'. Earlier this year she received the Theo Bruins Prize for her services to Dutch music.

The press about 'Great is love':
'Oskamp displays a sharp eye for striking details' – NRC
'Biographer examined the entire archive of composer Andriessen – and also saw his less beautiful sides' – the Volkskrant

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Evening organized in collaboration with IJburg Books and publisher Ambo/Anthos

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Admission: voluntary contribution
Reservations: via the Chipta link on this page