Reed Thomas, guest conductor
- Andante moderato
- Allegretto con eleganza
- Andante con dolcezza
- Con moto e follemento
“Rikud” means “dance” in Hebrew. The plural ending “-im” tells us that the title means “Dances.” Thus Rikudim is a suite in four movements based on Jewish dances, bearing in mind that these are not arrangements of existing folk music, but originally composed dances “in the style of” folk music. Through the use of oriental style tonal intervals, irregular tempi, and a typical woodwind instrumentation, the composer succeeds both in adding a touch of melancholy and a characteristically Jewish flavor to the music. The clearly marked themes and the sometimes surprising (but, on the other hand, very natural harmonies) make these “stylized folk dances” into music with a direct and gripping appeal.
Jan Van der Roost is a Belgian composer and conductor renowned for his contributions to wind and brass band music. A prolific composer, his works span symphonic, choral, and chamber music, often reflecting rich harmonies and dynamic energy. Van der Roost has gained international acclaim, with his compositions performed worldwide. He has taught at several prestigious institutions and frequently conducts ensembles globally. His music is celebrated for its accessibility and artistic depth, appealing to both performers and audiences.
Program note and composer biography researched and written by Elisabeth Jackson