Katrina Marzella catches up with Jan Van der Roost
This month’s castaway is influential Belgian composer and conductor, Jan Van der Roost. Due to celebrate his 60th birthday later this month, Jan has graciously participated in our BBW Castaway with meticulous detail and great enthusiasm. Many thanks for your insightful and inspiriting choices Jan. Happy birthday from all at BBW!
Jan's top two desert island discs are below. To find out the other six, plus his book and luxury item subscribe to BBW Digital.
Maria Vespers - Claudio Moteverdi
This is one of my all-time favourites - it is such a wonderful and beautiful piece! I’ve heard it many times: every time it gives me such musical fulfilment. I know the score almost by heart (I could sing the bass line from beginning to end!), but still it keeps my full attention and I never lose concentration when I hear it being performed. I particularly love it when the continuo instrumentation is rich and varied (with a little organ, harp, harpsichord, lute, etc.), and also the use of recorders, old trombones and cornets gives it all such a unique sound. I love this piece!
Concerto for Orchestra - Bela Bartok
One of the greatest 20th Century’s masterpieces - so well written, inspired, mature and diverse. It illustrates how a genius like Bartok could bring together various aspects and qualities of his art and craftsmanship near to the end of his creative life. I only wish I could ever reach such a perfect balance between inspiration and mastership! If that same CD could be combined with Bartok’s Dance Suite or his Piano Concerto No. 3, for example, which would it make even better!
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