These two pieces were commissioned by the FløyteFest in Skien, Norway. Wolven (Wolves) was written in 2019, and Wespen (Wasps) a year later. Both pieces were written for Emily Beynon, principal flute of the Concertbouw Orchestra in Amsterdam.  The two pieces were premiered by her at the 2023 edition of the FløyteFest.

Contrary to what you might think, Wolven is not about the free roaming, moon-howling wild animals, but rather about wolves in captivity, manically walking to and fro behind the gates of their enclosure. The music reflects their restlessness, uneasiness, restrained anger and menace. Most of the piece is written in Maqam Nawa Athar (a scale or tonality used in Arabic music). Wolven was reviewed by Carla Rees for the British Flute Society magazine, PAN. Read the review here.

Wespen was composed while thinking of the incessant buzzing and unpredictable flight movements of the insect everyone loves to hate.  Like a real wasp that always seems to come back to the beer you just ordered on a summer's day, the music keeps coming back to a stabbing motif played with heavy flatterzunge. From there it seemingly wanders off in various directions, only to return and make its presence known.

Wolven and Wespen are published by Donemus Publishing House for Contemporary music, and are available in PDF or hard copy from their webshop. You can download the sheet music for free if you are a student at a conservatory or music university and have an email account from the school where you study.

If you have any questions please contact Maarten Ornstein via info [AT] maartenornstein.com