It is with a great deal of excitement we announce our National Anthem has been completed. It has been an evolutionary process, which has resulted in a classic and ageless recording, one which captures the majesty and grandeur of our country.
We were fortunate to have an interview with its composer David Solomons.
RR: At what age did you decide to study music and composition?
DS: I started composing around the age of 14 - little pieces on the violin. However I didn't actually study: I picked up ideas and did my own thing. By the age of 16 I had picked up classic guitar and began to realise the joys of harmonic improvisation.
RR: I take it then you have your own home studio?
DS: I used to use a studio, but these days I use notation software (Finale) and also commission live performances in various places including Hungary and the USA.
RR: Now I am curious. Did you become a professional musician or composer? And when did that journey start?
DS: It was a slow process. I earned my daily bread by translating for the Customs service (UK) and the music was just a hobby. I retired at the age of 54 and from that time I think I can consider myself professional composer although I have depended on my pension for my daily bread in any case.
RR: How did you meet our Prince?
DS: HSH Gerard, had heard a selection of my previous work, and we started a correspondence. It progressed from there. He wanted a piece that would capture the spirit and majesty of Rheinbergen. I hope I have given that to him.
RR: Just out of curiosity, with your experience in Customs, how many languages do you speak? Or are comfortable using?
DS: I can translate from French, German, Italian and I understand a little Dutch and Greek but only in written form. Obviously I picked up a few other languages in my job but not a lot stuck. My favourite word is the Lithuanian for "Thank You" which is Aciu (ie the sound of a sneeze!)
RR: Where was our national anthem actually recorded?
DS: As to the recording of the the National Anthem - I had planned to do recordings of The Pipes are calling and considered that it would be useful to tie the forces in to do the anthem as well, since much of the instrumentation was similar, so I asked the Prince if he would like me to do that and he was delighted.
I commissioned Budapest Scoring to do a version with baritone solo initially and the Prince suggested we also do a choral version - since I had luckily thought of doing a karaoke version of the instrumental parts. And the actual recording took place in Budapest, Hungary.
(Another great example of a country with a proud riverine history.)
RR: What does the future hold for David Solomons?
DS: I have many projects currently in the work. Please take a moment and come to my webpage where you can see them.
At the moment I am currently working on several Christmas pieces.
(We will post all links below.)
Thank you David Solomons!
Listed below are links to Solomons webpage and his efforts. We will start off with the direct link to his composition for our beloved Rheinbergen with full orchestration and choral arrangement:
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/rheinharmorch
National anthem of the Rhine mountains (National anthem of Rheinbergs) harmonized choir a cappella:
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/rheinharm
Nationalhymne von Rheinbergen (Karaoke Version)
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/rheinkar
David Solomons personal website with a comprehensive listing of his work and his current projects!
http://www.dwsolo.com/
We were fortunate to have an interview with its composer David Solomons.
RR: At what age did you decide to study music and composition?
DS: I started composing around the age of 14 - little pieces on the violin. However I didn't actually study: I picked up ideas and did my own thing. By the age of 16 I had picked up classic guitar and began to realise the joys of harmonic improvisation.
RR: I take it then you have your own home studio?
DS: I used to use a studio, but these days I use notation software (Finale) and also commission live performances in various places including Hungary and the USA.
RR: Now I am curious. Did you become a professional musician or composer? And when did that journey start?
DS: It was a slow process. I earned my daily bread by translating for the Customs service (UK) and the music was just a hobby. I retired at the age of 54 and from that time I think I can consider myself professional composer although I have depended on my pension for my daily bread in any case.
RR: How did you meet our Prince?
DS: HSH Gerard, had heard a selection of my previous work, and we started a correspondence. It progressed from there. He wanted a piece that would capture the spirit and majesty of Rheinbergen. I hope I have given that to him.
RR: Just out of curiosity, with your experience in Customs, how many languages do you speak? Or are comfortable using?
DS: I can translate from French, German, Italian and I understand a little Dutch and Greek but only in written form. Obviously I picked up a few other languages in my job but not a lot stuck. My favourite word is the Lithuanian for "Thank You" which is Aciu (ie the sound of a sneeze!)
RR: Where was our national anthem actually recorded?
DS: As to the recording of the the National Anthem - I had planned to do recordings of The Pipes are calling and considered that it would be useful to tie the forces in to do the anthem as well, since much of the instrumentation was similar, so I asked the Prince if he would like me to do that and he was delighted.
I commissioned Budapest Scoring to do a version with baritone solo initially and the Prince suggested we also do a choral version - since I had luckily thought of doing a karaoke version of the instrumental parts. And the actual recording took place in Budapest, Hungary.
(Another great example of a country with a proud riverine history.)
RR: What does the future hold for David Solomons?
DS: I have many projects currently in the work. Please take a moment and come to my webpage where you can see them.
At the moment I am currently working on several Christmas pieces.
(We will post all links below.)
Thank you David Solomons!
Listed below are links to Solomons webpage and his efforts. We will start off with the direct link to his composition for our beloved Rheinbergen with full orchestration and choral arrangement:
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/rheinharmorch
National anthem of the Rhine mountains (National anthem of Rheinbergs) harmonized choir a cappella:
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/rheinharm
Nationalhymne von Rheinbergen (Karaoke Version)
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/rheinkar
David Solomons personal website with a comprehensive listing of his work and his current projects!
http://www.dwsolo.com/
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