A new CD has been released on the ATTACCA label with chamber, orchestral and choir works by Dutch composer Jan Vriend (b. 1938). Originally a student of Iannis Xenakis, Vriend has created a highly original and appealing musical language in which he combines some of the complexities of Xenakis with his love for the great classical and romantic masters, leading to a lively and highly virtuosic, both tonal and atonal sound world. On this double CD, a.o. his Piano Concerto ‘Echo 13.7’ is included, as performed by Ralph van Raat and the Holland Symfonia orchestra, and a very recent work for two pianos, ‘Event Horizon’, performed together with pianist Maarten van Veen. The CD has already been reviewed by OpusKlassiek and national newspaper De Volkskrant, mentioning the ‘magnificent playing’ and ‘compelling performance by Ralph van Raat and Maarten van Veen’ respectively.
