Commissions

2024 HOME

Especially for the 50th Birthday of Bimhuis Amsterdam, Martin Fondse composed the composition HOME, performed by a special large line-up under the name BigBim50. This line-up, consisting of 15 horns and a rhythm section, represents a cross-section of the (jazz) musicians who have taken the stage in recent years. BigBim50 is both a marching band, a jazz orchestra, a chamber ensemble and a powerful improvisational instrument, featuring wood, saxophones, brass, percussion, piano and guitar. HOME embodies this spirit and opens the anniversary month with a powerful and multifaceted musical spectacle.

2023 Zilver ( Commissioned by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Netherlands ).

Composer Laureate Martin Fondse composed a piece in honor of the posthumous award for resistance hero Jan Zwartendijk. The musical work, titled ZILVER (SILVER), premiered on Thursday, September 14. On this day—exactly 47 years after his passing—Zwartendijk was finally awarded the Golden Medal of Honor for Humane Assistance.

During the broadcast of Podium Klassiek on Sunday, September 17, Martin performed the piece live together with Jörg Brinkmann.

2022: Kitchen Stories ( Commissioned by Konstantyn Napolov & Orkest De Ereprijs )

For Kitchen Stories, I was inspired by this connection between music and food culture. You will be taken to nearly all the continents of the world (Europe, Asia, North and South Americas, Africa, and Antarctica). A special place has been dedicated to Ukraine and the newly discovered continent of Zeelandia. Regional dishes are featured, such as Hoosh (Antarctica), Borscht (Ukraine) and Fast Food Fantasy (North America), alongside melodically conceived presentations by TV and online chef stars (including Zanele van Zyl from South Africa), Saito – the Sushi God of Tokyo, and Ievgen Klopotenko from Ukraine.

 

2022 Diamonds ( Bimhuis Composition Commission )

Together with his Voice Orchestra and acclaimed Norwegian saxophonist Trygve Seim, Martin Fondse presents new music from his suite Card Games. In this suite, he uses the card game as a metaphor for life. The suite consists of five movements: Hearts, Diamonds, Spades, Clubs, and Joker. Each movement is given its own character, personality, and meaning.