Accordion Concerto

Commissioned by Vincent van Amsterdam, Wim Henderickx began work in 2022 on a new piece for solo accordion and a version for accordion and strings. In his commentary on the compositional sketches, Henderickx mentions that the title was inspired by the iconic line “Thunder only happens when it’s raining” from the song Dreams by Fleetwood Mac. Henderickx further notes that, at moments, the piece not only contains a stormy energy, but also offers the listener the possibility of deep inner reflection. The alternation between virtuosity and intimate moments results in a work that is both technically challenging and emotionally rich. Henderickx worked intensively on this concerto until the end of 2022. At the time of his unexpected death on 18 December 2022, he left behind a score in which the form had been carefully established and the musical material was largely present in sketch form.

In consultation with the family and in close collaboration with Vincent van Amsterdam, Diederik Glorieux realised the definitive version of the Accordion Concerto in 2024, assisted by Hannes Vanlancker. In addition to the solo version and the version for accordion and string orchestra, a version for accordion and string quintet was also created.

The one-movement work consists of 16 contrasting sections. Contrary to what the macrostructure might suggest, the prime number, as is often the case in Henderickx’s work, forms the building block for the inner structure and the musical identities on all other levels. In this composition, a play of contrasts emerges between powerful, raw energy and refined, poetic textures. Henderickx places dissonant chords alongside consonant harmonies and combines repetitive elements with flowing, constantly transforming melodies. The result is a work in which extremes coexist without transition or announcement. As in his opera De Bekeerlinge (The Convert), which he had just completed when he began this composition, this work too contains a diversity of musical traditions, which Henderickx was able to transform into a musical language entirely his own.

Bea Steylaerts & Diederik Glorieux