Pianist and composer Jeroen van Veen is one of the most important Dutch specialists in the field of minimal music. Before we proceed: what is minimal music anyway? The term is sometimes used for (spiritual) simplicity, à la Arvo Pärt. However, the term 'minimal' also refers to music with a lot of indiscriminate repetitions, à la Philip Glass. Both the influence of Pärt and Glass are recognizable
… in Jeroen van Veen's music. Just listen to the grandiose NLXL, whose somewhat simplistic opening is reminiscent of Arvo Pärt. Soon after, the typical repetitions of triads follow, on which Philip Glass once held the patent. Doesn't this music get boring quickly? That is not so bad, listen to the dramatic Industrial Threat (part of NLXL) for example. Or to the Ballade for Frank, whose unusual instrumentation (piano & carillon) keeps the relatively simple music exciting. The title of the aforementioned NLXL is a reference to the book of the same name by the photographer Karel Tomëi. Just like in that book, the Dutch landscape is central to Van Veens NLXL. It is not without reason that the instrumental parts are alternated with typical Dutch ambient sounds. The section Incanto 03 is a clearly recognizable reference to the famous 'top hit' Canto Ostinato by Simeon Ten Holt. (HJ) It is not without reason that the instrumental parts are alternated with typical Dutch ambient sounds. The section Incanto 03 is a clearly recognizable reference to the famous 'top hit' Canto Ostinato by Simeon Ten Holt. (HJ) It is not without reason that the instrumental parts are alternated with typical Dutch ambient sounds. The section Incanto 03 is a clearly recognizable reference to the famous 'top hit' Canto Ostinato by Simeon Ten Holt. (HJ)more
