Avatâra

‘Borstlap’s Avatâra: a demanding piece in a rather impressionistic idiom, combining an extremely fast basic element with the utmost refinement and subtlety of expression.’ NRC Handelsblad More »

Fantasia

‘In his Fantasia, Borstlap turns towards a form of new tonality. Sonorous homophonic lines....... expressive and melancholic arpeggio’s..... A magic sound texture.’ Heilbrunner Stimme More »

His music

‘In his music, John Borstlap combines great craftmanship with the utmost original thematic material. It is remarkable how refreshing new tonal music can be.’ Mens & Melodie More »

Hyperion’s Dream, Night Music and Capriccio

‘Hyperion’s Dream, Night Music and Capriccio (a traditional horn trio) are works which seem closer to Brahms and Schumann than to the threshold of the new millenium. More »

Psyche

John Borstlap’s ‘Psyche’: A sonorous piece, based upon a theme by Wagner but worked-out in a very personal way, and in a more or less late-romantic style....... with interesting, often soft, sound colours emerging from the orchestra.’ Tubantia More »

Sinfonia

‘Unusual piece....... Borstlap’s Sinfonia succeeded remarkably well in establishing a contact with the audience..... Work of great quality.’ Utrechts Nieuwsblad More »

Sonata

‘The sonata by John Borstlap is a remarkable work with a seemingly improvisatory, refined and effective, shadow-like texture.’ Haarlems Dagblad More »

THE CLASSICAL REVOLUTION Thoughts on new music in the 21st century

July 28, 2012   List of articles

Due to appear in October 2012, by the Scarecrow Press, New York.

Description:

The subject matter of ‘The Classical Revolution’ is the current emerging of a new music, which is rooted in premodernist tonal traditions.In painting, traditional realism – which was marginalized by modernism but never entirely disappeared – is enjoying a revival; a couple of contemporary architects are increasingly successful in recreating the classical tradition in building, in spite of fierce opposition from the modernist establishment.

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Public Money for Modern Art – How and Why is it Spent Thus?

July 28, 2012   List of articles

(Article published in the Musical Opinion, July/August issue 2012)

Is Holland an isolated example of public money being spent on modern art of all kinds? Is it well spent? The author raises valid questions about a hoax that showed up the Dutch subsidy system.

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