For the first time in nearly ten years, Louis Andriessen’s visionary masterpiece De Materiewill be performed again in the Netherlands! Created between 1984 and 1988, De Materie is a musical spectacle on an extraordinary scale: 63 musicians on stage, four sections based on texts from four centuries, and a monumental opening of 144 chords played by the entire ensemble.

For fans of De Stijl and Piet Mondrian, De Materieoffers a unique listening experience. The third section, De Stijl, is a direct tribute to this artistic movement. Here, Andriessen draws inspiration from Mondrian’s abstract, geometric principles, blending rhythmic patterns with a pulsing ‘boogie-woogie’ groove. The strict, repetitive structures in Andriessen’s music mirror the radical simplicity and harmony of De Stijl.

But De Materie is more than just a musical reflection on art. Each section highlights a different revolutionary idea. The first part refers to the Plakkaat van Verlatinghe (1581), the declaration that marked the Netherlands’ independence from Spanish rule—a powerful symbol of political and intellectual freedom that still resonates today.

The second section, Hadewijch, is based on the 13th-century mystic Hadewijch’s Seventh Vision, in which she describes a profound, spiritual, and even erotic union with the divine. Andriessen transforms this mystical experience into a quiet and introspective musical language, inviting the listener into a world of spiritual contemplation.

The final section honors Madame Curie, the groundbreaking scientist who revolutionized our understanding of matter and radiation. These layered themes make De Materie a work that is as visionary and innovative as the artists and thinkers it celebrates.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience Andriessen’s magnum opus live— a musical journey that brings together art, science, and history in a captivating and unforgettable performance.

De Materie is a collaboration between Asko|Schönberg, HIIIT and the Royal Conservatory The Hague

De Materie

Part I

Part II Hadewijch

Part III De Stijl

Part IV

Bas Wiegers conductor

Elisabeth Hetherington soprano

Robert Murray tenor

Asko|Schönberg

HIIIT

Koninklijk Conservatorium Den Haag