The CD is available to purchase at: http://www.robbertvos.com/
Inspired by friendly rivalry, Robbert Vos and Anteun Hoesen certainly bring the best out of each other on this neatly produced release.
Vos is a substantial talent; highly respected as a performer, especially by his peers, even if he has only occasionally been seen in action away from his Dutch homeland. Hoesen is perhaps less well known, but is also revealed to be a considerable player.
Beneficial
The link between the BB Schoonhoven euph star, and his friend, who just happens to have his own growing recording company with an impressive portfolio of Dutch bands, orchestra’s and soloists on its CV, is also musically beneficial - even if it does lead you to suspect that the only thing slightly awry with this release is its title: The ‘Dual’ is more accurate a description of a fine collective tag team rather than any battle for top dog solo supremacy.
Inventive and considered
Most of the repertoire on display is relatively unknown, but thanks to the efforts of some fine composers, is certainly fresh, inventive and considered; allowing the solo voices to enjoy a complimentary link to an accompaniment which never overpowers or distorts the essential performance balance (the recording quality is also first rate).
Satisfying
The jointly commissioned ‘Dual’, written by Dutch-based Brit Andrew Pearce, is an amusing escapade that thankfully never descends into mere slapstick displays of technical acrobatics, whilst arrangement such as ‘My Love is like a Red, Red Rose’ and in ‘Solitary Prayer’, provide satisfying lyrical contrasts.
Jules Demersseman’s pastiche operatic ‘aire-varie’ is a fascinating glimpse of late Victorian virtuosity in his ‘Grande Fantaisie Dramatique’ - played with just the right hint of bravura bombast, whilst there is an equally tasteful free flowing exploration in ‘Serenade in C’ by Bert Appermont.
Satanic intent
‘Bright and Breezy’ sparkles without ostentation, whilst the Celtic jiggery-pokery of ‘For a Flower’ is all the better for taking its time to blossom, in a clever piece of writing by Herman Pallhuber, as is Ed de Boer’s ‘Devil’s Dance’, which is also a sprightly toe tapper that walks a tight rope of playful satanic intent.
These are works that on first hearing are a bit like a plate of ‘Boerenkoolstamppot’ - a Dutch dish of mashed potatoes and kale, with a smoked sausage on top, served with a gravy or mustard: Unexpectedly warm, tasty and well worth another immediate serving or two.
Stand out
The stand out work though sees the intriguing combination of marimba and euphonium in ‘Concerto Grosso’ by Etienne Crausaz.
Vos is joined by the highly accomplished Niels Verbeek to create a sublime performance that moves effortlessly from dazzle and glitz to melancholy and stillness.
As a ‘Dual’ goes, this one can be described as a very honourable draw: The talented duo of Vos and Hoesen emerging with considerable artistic credit for their performances of interesting and engaging repertoire.
A re-match would be good to look forward to though.
Steve Jack
Track Listing:
1. Dual (Andrew Pearce)
2-4. Concerto Grosso (Etienne Crausaz)
5. For a Flower (Hermann Pallhuber)
6. Grande Fantaisie Dramatique (Jules Demersseman)
7. My Love is like a Red, Red Rose (Kenneth Downie)
8. Serenade in C (Bert Appermont)
9. Devil’s Dance (Alexander Comitas)
10. Solitary Prayer (Marco Putz)
11. Bright and Breezy (Rob Goorhuis)
