Jules van Iperen

Interview

Performance in Four Questions: Day & Night

Pianist Pieter de Graaf is no stranger to Schouwburg & Concertzaal Tilburg. In the past, he has performed here with Kyteman Orchestra, Wouter Hamel, and Conny Janssen Danst, but always as part of an ensemble, as a keyboardist. In the meantime, he is following a completely own path. He finds the term 'neoclassical' rather tricky, as he is actually coming up next season with a genre-blending performance called Day & Night.

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1. What is DAY & NIGHT?

“My musical self roughly consists of two parts; calm, immersive piano compositions and improvisations, and alongside this, an electronic sound palette where the piano has its own specific place. Day is lighter, more open, and calmer. Night becomes more electronic and darker, almost club-like. The audience can expect to be taken on an intensive musical journey, supported by a fitting light show and visuals.” 

2. How did this contrast arise?

"The split was actually purely practical: I wanted a break to sip a glass of wine. But in hindsight, it turned out to be a perfect separation between the two atmospheres," Pieter tells with a wink.

Exploration Journey

“I played with successful artists, toured the world, but didn’t feel it that way. I played many notes, but told little. I lost the music, after which I stopped touring and dove back into the studio. I played a note and waited until I felt something. That’s how I found my love for music again. Slowly, a new sound began to form. I experimented with bass notes, bought a bass pedal, and surrounded myself with electronics that allowed me to create loops.

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3. Where do you draw inspiration for music from?

"I subconsciously draw my inspiration from everyday things. There are composers and musicians who derive their inspiration from very specific things or who have a clear goal in mind. Take classical composers like Debussy, who conveyed more of a feeling or atmosphere: you can almost hear the birds chirping through the violins. I work very differently. When I create, I never have a specific goal. Only afterward do I start thinking about the story behind it. Strangely enough, things always fall perfectly into place.”

4. What do you hope visitors take away from your music?

"I want people to daydream for a while, and before they know it, they feel the low bass frequencies in their belly. They don’t have to think about anything for a moment. Music has the power to touch people, maybe even to help them.”

IAMKAT

Experience it.

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