The era of Louis Andriessen

Interviews with Matthias Kassel and Heidrun Ziems.

LOGLINE
The music of composer Louis Andriessen (1939–2021) has had an influence that extends far beyond the Netherlands. Yet his work De Tijd (1981), inspired by the ancient musical tradition of Gagaku, has only been played once in Japan in 2000. The documentary De Tijd van Louis Andriessen explores his life and work, as a younger generation of Japanese and Dutch musicians engages with this profound composition.

INTRODUCTION
Louis Andriessen hailed from a family of musicians. His father, Hendrik Andriessen (1892–1981), and older brother Jurriaan (1925–1996) were both prominent composers. Other family members, including his uncle, pianist Willem Andriessen, and sister Caecilia Andriessen (1931–2019), were also accomplished musicians. Louis himself studied composition under his father and later under Kees van Baaren at The Hague’s Royal Conservatoire. Between 1962 and 1964, he furthered his studies with Luciano Berio in Milan and Berlin.
In 1959, Andriessen won the Gaudeamus Award for young composers, marking the beginning of an illustrious career that established him as a pioneer of the Hague School, alongside contemporaries like Jan van Vlijmen and Diderik Wagenaar. His work drew heavily on minimalist music, particularly that of Terry Riley and Steve Reich, while also being deeply influenced by Igor Stravinsky. Andriessen integrated diverse musical genres and art forms into his compositions, challenging the boundaries between "high" and "low" art.
His oeuvre, characterized by radical innovation, ranged from bold statements to moments of sensual beauty, leaving an indelible mark on the international music scene. Young composers from across the globe flocked to The Hague to study under him at the Royal Conservatoire.
The documentary delves into Andriessen’s life, particularly his relationship with music and love, as reflected in De Tijd. This work captures his fascination with the concept of time, inspired by an "eternal moment" he once experienced—a moment of profound calm and euphoria that transcended the ordinary flow of time.