Orkest de Volharding (perseverance orchestra) is a Dutch
music ensemble
A musical ensemble, also known as a music group, musical group, or a band is a group of people who perform instrumental and/or vocal music, with the ensemble typically known by a distinct name. Some music ensembles consist solely of instrume ...
, founded in 1972 by
Louis Andriessen
Louis Joseph Andriessen (; 6 June 1939 – 1 July 2021) was a Dutch composer, pianist and academic teacher. Considered the most influential Dutch composer of his generation, he was a central proponent of The Hague school of composition. Although ...
and saxophonist
Willem Breuker
Willem Breuker (4 November 1944 – 23 July 2010) was a Dutch bandleader, composer, arranger, saxophonist, and clarinet
The clarinet is a Single-reed instrument, single-reed musical instrument in the woodwind family, with a nearly cylindri ...
, named after the eponymous Andriessen work. The line up for the original concert, on 12 May 1972, was three each of trumpets, saxes and trombones, plus Andriessen on the piano. After that the standard line was established with the addition of flute, horn and bass (although for a period 2 clarinets were added as well).
Originally conceived as a street band with a political agenda, the group has gradually evolved into a more conventional contemporary music ensemble, adding a conductor in the 1990s. Andriessen wrote a number of works for the group before leaving in the late 1970s. None of musicians who played in the very first concert are still with the group, but flautist Dil Engelhard and saxophonist Bob Driessen, who joined immediately afterwards, are still members.
External links
Official site
{{Authority control
Dutch musical groups