Biography Reinbert de Leeuw released today

Published today at Leporello Publishers in Amstelveen my long-awaited biography Reinbert de Leeuw: man or melody, which I worked on for more than seven years. The book is on sale at several bookstores in Amsterdam and can be ordered through any bookstore in the Netherlands.

When I attended a concert conducted by Reinbert de Leeuw in early 2005, I discussed with some colleagues that the generation of 'Nutcrackers' was now starting to get quite old. One of them suggested the idea of recording their stories and experiences 'while we still could'. Cycling home, in a flash of euphoria, I thought: 'I'm going to write a biography about Reinbert de Leeuw!' I have admired him for years, because he introduced me to such great composers as Sofia Gubaidoelina, György Kurtág and Galina Uspvolskaya.

No sooner said than done, but it was a road with many bumps: archives turned out to be incomplete, people could only be traced with great difficulty, and checking the seemingly simplest facts took more time than expected. And when it was finished in early 2013, De Leeuw refused to authorise it, whereupon the publisher withdrew. I am happy that the book has finally become concrete and am proud of Stef Verbraeken's beautiful design, with on the cover a specially made etching of Guus Glass.

This is the flap text:

Reinbert de Leeuw has been a pivotal figure in Dutch musical life for decades. With his ultra-rare performances of piano works by Satie, he conquered the popular charts, as 'Nutcracker' he opposed the established order and as conductor of the Schönberg Ensemble, which he co-founded, he opened up the music of contemporary composers to a large audience. He is considered the main founder of the internationally renowned Dutch ensemble culture and an inspiration to young and old alike.

'Thea Derks has done in-depth research to place Reinbert de Leeuw's life and work in the context of his time: his difficult childhood, the turbulent 1960s, the road to the top, his collaboration with leading composers such as Messiaen and Ligeti, the discussions regarding his role as 'art pope'. This creates a balanced picture of a tireless music pioneer.

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Published today in The Parool a two-page Review by Erik Voermans. It is with due pride that I quote the conclusion from this: 'De Leeuw is nowhere talked down to, but also nowhere denied praise where praise is due. As a result, she has erected a magnificent monument that does full justice to one of Holland's great musical sons. Both man and melody.'

On Saturday, March 15, 2014, it published The Parool a Interview by Erik Voermans with TheaDerks Parool 15-3-2014.