A musical birthday gift for Ronald Brautigam


One Minute Symphony by Katherine Teng

At the Oct. 4 concert, Residentie Orkest will celebrate the seventieth birthday of top Dutch pianist Ronald Brautigam. Especially for him, the young composition student Katherine Teng wrote a One Minute Symphony entitled 2356 Years. Where did she get her inspiration and what does the title mean?

 

A One Minute Symphony XL that would serve as a short but complete work, fitting into the program simultaneously celebrating Ronald Brautigam's seventieth birthday. That was the assignment given to composition student Katherine Teng. "Of course my work had to reflect this special occasion. I wanted to write a piece that would celebrate this special milestone in a cheerful and lighthearted way. I did this by incorporating motifs from three different birthday songs: Happy Birthday, the Dutch birthday song Lang zal hij leven and the old Taiwanese pop song Happy Birthday 快樂鳥日子. These short motifs are woven together into a festive tribute that simultaneously honors Brautigam's unsurpassed contribution to classical music."

Inspiration

"My inspiration comes from a mix of cultural influences and my personal experiences. For this piece, I was inspired by the joyous nature of birthdays and the rich musical traditions associated with them. I love to explore how different musical cultures approach the same theme, and this composition allowed me to bring together elements from Western and Taiwanese traditions in a creative way. In this One Minute Symphony, I want to convey a sense of joy and celebration by capturing the essence of a birthday in a short but powerful way. By using familiar motifs, I try to create a piece that feels both personal and universal. And, of course, a musical toast to Ronald Brautigam."

"In this One Minute Symphony, I want to convey a sense of joy and celebration by capturing the essence of a birthday in a short but powerful way. "

- Katherine Teng

Short and complex

"Usually I start with a central idea or image. For 2356 Years, however, I began by thinking about the joy and celebration associated with birthdays. I approached the composition by focusing on the motifs, as is common in classical music. But instead of developing these motifs in a traditional way, I took an impressionistic approach by transposing each motif and weaving them together. The harmony remains simple, but the motifs above it are short and complex, creating a lively piece. This method allowed me to keep the festive mood within the five-minute time frame by combining a classical structure with an impressionistic style."

2356 Years

"The title 2356 Years comes from the aforementioned old Taiwanese pop song Happy Birthday. The lyrics of this song wish that a person can live well until he or she is 2356 years old. The title of my piece thus reflects the fun and imaginative spirit of the song, making it a fitting tribute for such a festive occasion. Above all, I hope to bring a moment of joy and connection to the audience. By using familiar motifs, I want to evoke a sense of joy that everyone can identify with. I have hidden many Happy Birthday motifs throughout the piece and I am curious to see if the audience discovers where they are. My goal is to celebrate Ronald Brautigam's birthday in a meaningful and festive way, giving the audience a brief but unforgettable musical experience."

Join us for top pianist Brautigam's birthday and hear Katherine Teng's musical gift.

See here