Pianist Hannes Minnaar gives Christmas concert Nox Natalis

How do today's composers find inspiration in the story of Christmas Night? In Nox Natalis, pianist Hannes Minnaar explores this question through a captivating programme of contemporary piano music. The result is a fresh and atmospheric musical celebration of Christmas – perfect for anyone looking for something a little different from Messiah or All I Want for Christmas Is You. Experience Nox Natalis on Sunday afternoon, 20 December, at Pakhûs SOLO in St Vitus Church, Stiens.

In 1979, American composer George Crumb wrote A Little Suite for Christmas. Renowned for his imaginative sound world and unconventional piano techniques, Crumb drew inspiration from fourteenth-century frescoes in Padua depicting the Nativity. Mysterious muted tones evoke the Three Wise Men, while glissandos across the strings subtly reveal the melody of the Coventry Carol.

Between 2018 and 2020, Dutch composer Robert Zuidam wrote Nox especially for Hannes Minnaar. Its five movements portray different stages of the night. Nightfall introduces the evening, where a single repeated note gradually blossoms into lyrical melodies. Insomnia is restless and intense, while L'Heure Bleue captures the blue light of dawn just before sunrise. The fourth movement is an In Memoriam to Reinbert de Leeuw, before the final movement welcomes the return of light.

Dutch composer Joey Roukens based the three movements of his Christmas Sonatina on three different Christmas melodies: an old Dutch carol, an English Christmas carol and a sixth-century Christian hymn. Composer Joep Franssens, whose music expresses deeply humanistic ideals through a tonal and accessible style, contributes Winter Child, a work of quiet beauty and contemplation.

Hannes Minnaar is widely admired for his ability to reveal the essence of the music he performs. His playing is celebrated for its spontaneity, naturalness and emotional depth. He has won numerous international awards, including second prize at the Concours de Genève, third prize at the Queen Elisabeth Competition, and the prestigious Dutch Music Prize. He performs regularly as a soloist in the Netherlands and abroad and previously appeared at Pakhûs SOLO with the Van Baerle Trio.

The concert lasts just over one hour and is performed without an interval. A complimentary drink will be served afterwards.

Programme curator Beate Loonstra says:

"It is always fascinating to see how contemporary composers draw inspiration from centuries-old traditions, melodies and rituals. The story of Christmas Night is perhaps the finest example of that. Hannes Minnaar has created a programme that truly captures the imagination."