Worker's Union

Louis Andriessen

Subtitle: Symphonic Movement for Any Loud Sounding Group of Instruments

General Info

Year: 1975 / 2002
Duration: c. 15:00-20:00
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Donemus
Cost: Score Only - Rental

Instrumentation

For any loud-sounding group of instruments

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

Workers Union was originally written for the Orchestra De Volharding (Perseverance), in which I myself figured as a pianist at the time. This piece is a combination of individual freedom and severe discipline: its rhythm is exactly fixed; the pitch, on the other hand, is indicated only approximately, on a single-lined stave. It is difficult to play in an ensemble and to remain in step, sort of thing like organizing and carrying on a political action.

- Program Note by composer

Media

Audio CD: California Ear Unit
Audio CD: Bang on a Can

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

Southern Methodist University (Dallas, Tx.) Meadows Wind Ensemble (unconducted) - 23 September 2022
University of California, Los Angeles, Percussion Ensemble (Theresa Dimond, conducted) – January 2021 (Virtual)
California State University, Northridge Wind Ensemble (Lawrence Stoffel, conductor) – 10 March 2020
Graceland University (Lamoni, Iowa) Symphonic Band (Chee Weng Yim, conductor) – 4 December 2018
Rowan University (Glassboro, N.J.) Concert Band (Joseph Higgins, conductor) – 1 March 2018
Musicians from the Los Angeles (Calif.) Philharmonic – 30 March 2006
Arizona State University (Tempe) Band – 9 September 2008
Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, Md.) (Mike Formanek, conductor) – 5 March 2010

Works for Winds by This Composer

Amsterdam Vrij (1973)
Contra Tempus (1968)
Dat gebeurt in Vietnam (1972)
De Herauten (1997)
De Volharding (1972)
Hymn to the Memory of Darius Milhaud (1974/2006)
Il Principe (1974)
M is for Man, Music, Mozart (1991)
Monuments of the Netherlands (1975)
Nederland, let op uw schoonheyt (1975)
On Jimmy Yancey (1973)
Passeggiata in Tram in America e Ritorno (1999/rev. 2001)
Signs and Symbols (2016)
Spektakel (1970)
Symfonieën der Nederlanden (1974)
Voor Sater (1973)
Worker's Union (1975/2002)

Resources

Andriessen, L. (2002). Workers Union : Symphonic Movement for Any Loud Sounding Group of Instruments, 1975 [score]. Donemus: Amsterdam.