Astrid Kruisselbrink facts for kids

Astrid Kruisselbrink (born February 9, 1972) is a talented composer from the Netherlands. A composer is someone who writes music. She has written many pieces for orchestras, choirs, and even for children's theater.

About Astrid Kruisselbrink

Her Early Life and Studies

Astrid Kruisselbrink was born in Velsen, a town in the Netherlands. She started playing the piano when she was nine years old. She learned both classical and jazz music.

In 1993, Astrid began studying at the Rotterdam Conservatory. This is a special school for music. She studied how to compose music there. Her teachers included famous composers like Klaas de Vries. She finished her studies with high honors in 1999.

Winning Awards and Recognition

While she was still a student, Astrid won her first prize. She won the European Young Women Composers Contest. Her winning piece was a choral work called Zijn lippen zijn uw lippen. A choral work is music written for a choir to sing.

In 1998, another one of her pieces was chosen for a special event. It was called Spin and was for a soprano singer and an ensemble. An ensemble is a small group of musicians. This piece was part of the international Gaudeamus Music Week. This event helps young musicians show their talent.

Just before she graduated, her orchestra piece In was chosen for a project. This project, called Project Jonge Componisten, helps young composers. The Balletorchestra performed her music.

Important Musical Works

Astrid Kruisselbrink has created many important musical works.

• In 2000, her String quartet was recorded and performed. A string quartet is a group of four string instruments.
• In 2003, she wrote Pra for orchestra and a soprano singer. The Het Gelders Orkest performed this piece.
• Her work Strijklicht (2007) was for a string orchestra. The Het Rotterdams Kamerorkest performed it.
• In 2009, she published a piano composition called Apen en Beer (Ape and Bear). This piece had a short song for each letter of the alphabet. It was first performed in Rotterdam. Thirty young pianists played the different parts.
• In 2011, her chamber opera The Reclining Woman was performed. An opera is a play set to music. This one was based on sculptures by Henry Moore.
• In 2015, the Asko/Schönberg ensemble performed her piece Die Klage um Linos.
• In 2017, she helped create a concert called Menschen-Worte. This concert used poems by the artist Hans Arp.

Composing for Children and Theater

Astrid Kruisselbrink also writes music for theater and for children.

• In 1999, her children's opera Fietsen (Cycling) was performed. It was based on a book by Gregie de Maeyer.
• In 2009, she wrote Schwarz wie Tinte. This piece was based on a Dutch book for children. Young actors and singers performed it with a youth orchestra.

Astrid Kruisselbrink lives in Gouda with her husband and two sons.

Externe link

• Official website: http://www.astridkruisselbrink.nl/