Sacred Places II

SACRED PLACES II for violin, alto saxophone and piano was commissioned by Gaudeamus Music Week 2019 and Kugoni Trio. Wim Henderickx also composed a version for flute, cello and piano in 2019 and a version for violin, clarinet and piano in 2021. The work consists of seven movements: Prologue 1 - Sacred Gongs 2 - Mantra 3 - Memory of Swayabhunath 4 - Shiva, the Destroyer and Creator 5 - Hope for Enlightenment Epilogue Sacred Places II was inspired by Wim Henderickx's experiences during his stay in Kathmandu, Nepal. The spirituality he experienced at various locations left a deep impression on him, and the energy he perceived at the stupa (semicircular Buddhist structure for meditation) of Bouddhanath provided the basic inspiration for this work. The composition contains different energies; sometimes excited with an enormous rhythmic drive, at other times introspective, with a meditative character. Various instrumental techniques are used, such as multiphonics for the saxophone, the pianist playing inside the piano, etc. The use of microtonality is an important feature in this work.