DE STREEK
new music from ancient songs
DE STREEK is an initiative of Stichting Boom Boom Heart that brings together composers, performers and audiences through the musical heritage of a region.
Composers are invited to engage with ancient folk melodies and transform them into new music for strings. Around these newly commissioned works, a programme is built that combines folk songs, contemporary composition and classical repertoire.
Since its inception, DE STREEK has explored the dialogue between past and present, between oral tradition and newly written music, and between local heritage and international musical influences. What emerges is a living conversation with the past.
EDITION I - DE STREEK 2023
The first edition of DE STREEK premiered on the Dutch Day of the Composer in 2023, june 17.
Five composers accepted the challenge of creating a new work based on a self-chosen folk melody from Brabant. The participating composers were Aart Strootman, Amin Ebrahimi, Anthony Fiumara, Jacques Palinckx (then City Composer of Tilburg), and Stijn van der Loo.
Alongside these premieres, Claire Porter performed two songs of her own choosing, accompanied by the string players of the Ives Ensemble in arrangements by Stijn van der Loo. The programme was further enriched by works by Philip Glass, John Cage, Joseph Haydn and Charles Ives.
The concert was presented by Tijmen Wehlburg.
Following its premiere, DE STREEK – Edition I was also performed in Geertruidenberg and ’s-Hertogenbosch.
Performers
Claire Porter – voice
String Players of the Ives Ensemble
* Emma Breedveld – violin
* Josje ter Haar – violin
* Heleen Hulst – viola
* Job ter Haar – cello
Presenter
Tijmen Wehlburg
Camera
Deen van der Zaken
Programme
* Philip Glass – String Quartet No. 3 "Mishima" (1975): Award Montage
* Aart Strootman – Baba on Trrrr (after O Brabant)
* John Cage – String Quartet in Four Parts: Quietly Flowing Along
* Jacques Palinckx – Skyline (after Tilburgs Volkslied – De Schoônste Stad)
* Gerard van Maasakkers – Boom aan de Rivier, sung by Claire Porter
* Joseph Haydn – String Quartet No. 6: Menuet
* Stijn van der Loo – Scherzo, dan gaan we een eindje lopen (after He Goade Mee)
* Kenny B. – Jij Bent de Liefde, sung by Claire Porter
* Charles Ives – Scherzo
* Amin Ebrahimi – Gardesh (after Casteren Kermis)
* Anthony Fiumara – Silver (Part I)
Acknowledgements
DE STREEK – Edition I was made possible through the support of the Cultuurfonds, Erfgoed.nu, Investeringsfonds Muziek, Geertruidskerk Geertruidenberg, the Jheronimus Bosch Art Center, and many individual supporters through Voordekunst.
"Polymath Stijn van der Loo—writer, filmmaker and composer—still seems to have energy to spare. As a result, he is launching a new musical biennial in Tilburg: De Streek. The first edition was devoted to the string quartet, and on 21 June 2025 it will be followed by a concert for string trio and voice."
Camiel Hamans - Brabant Cultureel
EDITION II - DE STREEK 2025
DE STREEK – Edition II (June 20, 2025)
The second edition of DE STREEK premiered on the Dutch Day of the Composer in 2025.
Three composers accepted the challenge of creating new works based on four songs from the historic Antwerps Liedboek, one of the most important collections of early Dutch folk songs. The participating composers were Jonatan Repokari, Nicoline Soeter (then City Composer of Tilburg), and Stijn van der Loo.
Each newly composed work is preceded by the original song, performed by Claire Porter and accompanied by a string trio. Claire also performs two Brabant songs of her own choosing. All string trio arrangements accompanying the songs were created by Stijn van der Loo.
Throughout the evening, violinist Daria Spiridonova performs solo arrangements of folk songs from around the world, as featured on her album Songs From There. These are paired with repertoire works by Sibelius, Enescu, Dohnányi and Gideon Klein.
Recorded in the beautiful Hasseltse Kapel in Tilburg, DE STREEK – Edition II became an evening in which musical traditions from many regions and centuries met through the sound of strings.
The concert was presented by Leo Samama.
Performers
Claire Porter – voice
* Daria Spiridonova – violin
* Ieteke Wijbenga – viola
* Octavie Dostaler-Lalonde – cello
Presenter
Leo Samama
Camera
Deen van der Zaken
Programme
1. Latod, édesanyám (Hungary) – Daria Spiridonova, solo violin
2. Sibelius – String Trio Suite, 2nd movement
3. Alle mijn gepeis – Original song, Claire Porter with string trio
4. Nicoline Soeter – Trio for Strings
5. Ik neem jou mee (Gerard van Maasakkers) – Claire Porter with string trio
6. Oscar's Ghost (Scotland) – Daria Spiridonova, solo violin
7. Enescu – Aubade
8. Een amoreus liedeken – Original song, Claire Porter with string trio
9. Stijn van der Loo – Een amoreus liedeken for String Trio
10. Naninanasao (Georgia) – Daria Spiridonova, solo violin
11. Dohnányi – Serenade Op. 10, 2nd movement
12. Aanmerckt doch mijn geclagh – Original song, Claire Porter with string trio
13. Jonatan Repokari – Kenen muisto tämä on? for String Trio
14. Breekbaar en broos (Iek de Vos & Stijn van der Loo) – Claire Porter with string trio
15. Vigstamoin (Norway) – Daria Spiridonova, solo violin
16. Gideon Klein – String Trio, first two movements
17. Gheldeloos – Original song, Claire Porter with string trio
18. Stijn van der Loo – Gheldeloos, ghi doet mi pijn for String Trio
19. Nana (Sephardic) – Daria Spiridonova, solo violin
Acknowledgements
DE STREEK – Edition II was made possible through the support of the Cultuurfonds and De Link.