What does the world sound like when you hear it from Enschede's tower? On Sunday 29 June, city carillonist Esther Schopman will give a special concert on the Oude Markt together with world music choir IntervOcaal conducted by Diet Gerritsen. In this concert, music from 14 countries comes together in an hour full of sounds, rhythms, stories and memories. This performance is also the third concert due to the fact that Enschede received city rights 700 years ago.
More than half of the songs to be played on 29 June were suggested by choir members. That series has been supplemented by request songs from other Enschede residents.
The singers of IntervOcaal sing five songs along in the market square, while two solo singers from the choir sing their contribution from Brazil and Sierra Leone with the carillonist from within the tower. They join the city carillonist in her playing cabin in the spire of the tower.
For city carillonist Esther Schopman, playing these world songs on the carillon means a musical challenge: "Many of these songs have unique rhythms and harmonies. I consider it an honour to be able to spread these special sounds over the city."
A screen will be placed on the Oude Markt so that visitors and passers-by can watch everything live. The concert can be followed via a livestream!
Programme
Welkom allemaal daar beneden! Voor diegenen die dat nog niet weten: ik zit boven, in het dak van de toren van de Grote Kerk. Vandaag kun je me ook zien op het beeldscherm op de Oude Markt. Dit is het derde concert in het kader van Enschede700, waarvoor we liedjes verzamelen uit het geboorteland van de inwoners van Enschede.
Introduction
We open festively with a classic from sunny Spain. It was suggested by Miguel Pérez Hernández.
‘Y viva España’ conjures up images of white beaches, tapas and balmy summer evenings.
Worldwide, this song is an ode to the Spanish way of life - and thus a perfect start to our musical world tour.
1. “Y viva España” – Spain
Introduction
From Spain we move to the sultry rhythms of Brazil. ‘Água de Beber’, a bossa nova by Antônio Carlos Jobim, takes us back to Rio's warm evenings.
Today it is given extra sparkle by the voice of soloist Galileia Mendes, who is here behind me and has Brazilian roots herself.
2. “Água de Beber” – Brazil (soloist: Galileia Mendes)
Introduction
A beautiful sensitive song from Poland, a tip from Wiktoria Walczyk.
The title means ‘Days We Don't Know Yet’ - a musical reminder of hope, looking forward and trusting in the unknown.
It is a hushed moment in our programme, with deep emotional overtones.
3. “Dni, których nie znamy” – Poland
Introduction
The following song from Greece is called ‘Arnisi’ - meaning ‘denial’.
The song is sung by the choir IntervOcaal, and was suggested by former choir member Tina Castro.
It is a dramatic melody full of nostalgia and wistfulness, in the typical Greek style that touches you to your soul.
4. “Arnisi” – Greece (with IntervOcaal)
Introduction
From Greece we go to Japan. This song is also sung by IntervOcaal.
‘Sakura’ means cherry blossom, a powerful symbol in Japanese culture for impermanence and beauty.
Natsuko Ogiwara said that she learned to play this song on Japanese harp as a young girl and is therefore very dear to her.
5. “Sakura” – Japan (with IntervOcaal)
Introduction
We travel to Georgia, a country with a centuries-old singing tradition in which singing together is central. ‘Suliko’ is therefore sung by the choir IntervOcaal. It reminds Tamara Kabzinadze of her native country.
Suliko is about the search for a lost lover.
Ultimately, the message is that the lost lover lives on in the beauty of nature, in the blooming of roses, in the song of the nightingale and in the light of the stars.
6. “Suliko” – Georgia (with IntervOcaal)
Introduction
Sofia Relvas tipped the upbeat Portuguese song ‘Cheira bem, cheira a Lisboa’.
This song breathes Lisbon. It is an ode to the charm of the Portuguese capital, full of nostalgia and warmth.
You can feel the street music and the beating heart of the city.
7. “Cheira bem, cheira a Lisboa” – Portugal
Introduction
A world hit from Colombia! ‘La Camisa Negra’ by Juanes is upbeat and danceable.
It is actually about heartbreak, but the rhythm brings new energy.
Juan Camilo López Amezquita was the one who brought the song to our attention.
8. “La Camisa Negra” – Colombia
Introduction
‘Si Patokaan’ is a traditional song from North Sulawesi, Indonesia.
It was suggested by choir members Lily, Ning, Retno, Endah and Chrispina. IntervOcaal will therefore sing this song.
The song has playful melody full of movement and tells about saying goodbye - but with a light, danceable tone.
9. “Si Patokaan” – Indonesia (with IntervOcaal)
Introduction
‘Gracias a la vida’ - thanks to life - is one of the most moving songs from Latin America.
It was written by Violeta Parra from Chile and is sung by IntervOcaal.
The song was suggested by Rosario Correa and is a deep bow to all that life gives us.
10. “Gracias A La Vida” – Chile (with IntervOcaal)
Introduction
We have arrived in Australia, where the outback is endless.
‘Waltzing Matilda’ sounds upbeat, but is actually about a wanderer, a stolen sheep and a dramatic ending at a well.
Yet it is proudly sung as a kind of second anthem. It was suggested by opera singer John Fernon.
11. “Waltzing Matilda” – Australia
Introduction
Melvin Massaquoi, standing behind me, will soon be proudly singing a song from his native Sierra Leone.
‘We lek we Salone’ means ‘We love Sierra Leone’ It is a powerful tribute to origins, culture and belonging.
12. “We lek we salone” – Sierra Leone (soloist: Melvin Massaquoi)
Introduction
And now a beautiful hymn from Finland, in which the silence of lakes and forests is felt, suggested by Mona Perou.
‘On suuri sun rantas autius’ means something like, ‘How great is the desolation of your shore’. It is a calm, hushed song. and grand in simplicity.
13. “On suuri sun rantas autius” – Finland
Introduction
We close with ‘Alma Llanera’, the soul of the plains - a vibrant, patriotic song from Venezuela that celebrates the joy of life.
It is traditional in Venezuela to end parties and social gatherings by singing this song.
María Esther Gonzalez Varela is the mother of Fernando Gonzalez, who studies in Enschede. She requested this song as a surprise for him.
‘Alma Llanera’ is a rhythmic and expressive song, full of fire - a festive ending to our world tour, although I won't play it as quickly as the original. That's not doable on a carillon, if only because it's bloody hot up here today!
14. “Alma Llanera” – Venezuela
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