Accordion Concerto

Commissioned by Vincent van Amsterdam, Wim Henderickx began work in 2022 on a new piece for solo accordion and a version for accordion and strings. In his notes on the compositional sketches, Henderickx mentions that the title was inspired by the iconic line “Thunder only happens when it's raining” from Fleetwood Mac's album Dreams. Henderickx further notes that the piece not only contains moments of turbulent energy, but also offers the listener the opportunity for deep inner reflection. The alternation between virtuosity and intimate moments results in a work that is both technically challenging and emotionally rich. Henderickx worked intensively on this concerto until the end of 2022. Upon his unexpected death on 18 December 2022, he left behind a virtually complete score, in which the form was meticulously laid out and the musical material was largely present in sketch form. In consultation with the family and in close collaboration with Vincent van Amsterdam, Diederik Glorieux realised the final version of the Accordion Concerto in 2024, assisted by Hannes Vanlancker. In addition to the solo version and the version for accordion and string orchestra, a version for accordion and string quintet has also been created. The one-movement work consists of 16 contrasting sections. Contrary to what the macrostructure might suggest, as is often the case in Henderickx's work, the prime number is the building block for the inner structure and musical identities in all other respects. In this composition, there is a contrast between powerful, raw energies and refined, poetic textures. Henderickx juxtaposes dissonant chords with melodious harmonies and combines repetitive elements with flowing, constantly transforming melodies. The result is a work in which extremes coexist without transition or announcement. As in his opera De Bekeerlinge (The Convert), which he had just completed when he began this composition, this work also features a diversity of musical traditions, which Henderickx managed to transform into a musical language all his own.