“My music, and certainly that of the last couple of years, focusses on melody and harmony, both instrumental and vocal. The element harmony serves me as a pivotal vehicle out of which I build my melodies. My song cycle “Lyrics of life” for soprano and guitar and “De tuin van Epicurus” for flute, oboe, violin, bassoon and harp are striking examples. Harmony, when accurately designed, with clear rhythm creates direction and therefore comprehensible to follow as a listener which I find most important. I also tend to write more polyfonically lately.

My musical inspiration comes while walking through open fields, among woodlands and from all sorts of music, mainly from the classical composers Bach, Beethoven, Stravinsky, Sibelius and Honegger together with Frank Martin. And then of course, there is so much fine music and great masterpieces by other composers. By the way, I believe almost every music lover has a favourite piece or song in some genre or whatever kind. Other inspiration comes from (English) poetry and paintings.
From time to time I listen to Renaissance music, especially the vocal music. From the Romantic period it is Bruckner, Brahms and Elgar who I deeply admire. Music is all in the air, you just pick whatever suits you best for your needs. In this context, I mention “Eldorado” from the song cycle “Lyrics of life” which may very well have been sung in a saloon in mid-20th century America. With the exception of  the short instrumental bridges, that is.

For me, traditional folk music ( I am not a keen listener) is confined to Flamenco and music from South America but occasionally when I happen to hear it, music from Ireland can stir me as well. I don’t favour folk music from the Balkan.
When I am out, walking over fields and heather and through woodlands in the area where I live (which I do every day) inspiration may come as well.”

Sometimes, inspiration, as described above, plays no role. You start by writing down a few notes or a chord, even if they are bad. You try something, and then you interact with it.