Jakob van Domselaer – Piano Music (1994)

When Piet Mondrian (yes, the main representative of “De Stijl”) and Jakob van Domselaer lived together for a brief period of time around 1915 – the painter had rented a room in the latter’s house – his influence on the musician was immediate. The two artists became good friends and spent many a night theorizing about the new developments in the arts. Their musings led to the composer creating his piano pieces “Proeven van Stijlkunst” (Examples of the art of De Stijl). In an attempt to explain the music, van Domselaer formulated a musical analogy to Mondrian’s neoplastic insights:

“The pieces should be played in such a way, that the ‘standing element’ (=harmony) prevails and the ‘course’ (=melody) is unrestricted and quiet, in spite of the domineering presence of the standing element.”

Which is a free translation of Piet’s “horizontal and vertical lines” in visual art. Got it?
After these glorious words, magnificent in their obscurity, we all know what to expect, of course. Or at least we realize we should listen to a composer’s music and see an artist’s paintings, but forget about their theories.

Let my ironical words not stop you from taking this. The music is certainly worthwhile; melodic, tranquil, and generally very pleasant to listen to. Apart from that, van Domselaer’s compositions are the only ones in music history that came straight from De Stijl’s cauldron. Although Mondian himself believed more in jazz as the messenger of the New…but mind you! This is broadway nor boogie-woogie. It’s classical music for solo piano

Note: several years ago, when I copied this from the library, I wasn’t the dedicated scanner I am now. So I’m afraid you’ll have to make do with a front cover only. I found it on the net.

Performer: Kees Wieringa

Tracks:

Proeven van Stijlkunst - 1913-1917

01. I. 1913 3.02
02. II. 1914 8.45
03. III. 1914 'BACH' 1.35
04. IV. 1915 3.16
05. V. 1915 2.23
06. VI. 1915 2.10
07. VII. 1916 6.08
08. VIII. 1916 1.26
09. IX. 1916-1917 7.03

Sonate no. 9 - 1924

10. I. Allegretto 5.54
11. II. Scherzo 5.52
12. III. Adagio Molto 5.40
13. IV. Finale - Allegretto Vivace 6.28