For the first time in nearly ten years, Louis Andriessen’s visionary masterpiece De Materie will be performed again in the Netherlands! Created between 1984 and 1988, De Materie is a musical spectacle on an extraordinary scale: 63 musicians on stage, four sections based on texts from four centuries, and a monumental opening of 144 chords played by the entire ensemble. De Materie is a collaboration between Het Muziek, HIIIT, Conservatoire of Amsterdam, and the Royal Conservatoire The Hague.

For fans of De Stijl and Piet Mondrian, De Materie offers a unique listening experience. The third section, De Stijl, is a direct tribute to this artistic movement. Here, Andriessen draws inspiration from Mondrian’s abstract, geometric principles, blending rhythmic patterns with a pulsing ‘boogie-woogie’ groove. The strict, repetitive structures in Andriessen’s music mirror the radical simplicity and harmony of De Stijl.

But De Materie is more than just a musical reflection on art. Each section highlights a different revolutionary idea. The first part refers to the Plakkaat van Verlatinghe (1581), the declaration that marked the Netherlands’ independence from Spanish rule — a powerful symbol of political and intellectual freedom that still resonates today.

The second section, Hadewijch, is based on the 13th-century mystic Hadewijch’s Seventh Vision, in which she describes a profound, spiritual, and even erotic union with the divine. Andriessen transforms this mystical experience into a quiet and introspective musical language, inviting the listener into a world of spiritual contemplation.

The final section honors Madame Curie, the groundbreaking scientist who revolutionized our understanding of matter and radiation. These layered themes make De Materie a work that is as visionary and innovative as the artists and thinkers it celebrates.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience Andriessen’s magnum opus live— a musical journey that brings together art, science, and history in a captivating and unforgettable performance.

This concert is organized by the NTR ZaterdagMatinee.