article 5 [delphin, gekrümmte zeit] (2008; German version, 2022)

contents

1. summary

2. listen

3. programme notes

4. details

5. performances

summary

article 5 [dolphin, curved time] (2008) by Rozalie Hirs is a music composition for soprano solo, based on her own poetry, commissioned by Marja Bon for Wendingen Festival. The work was first performed by soprano Irene Maessen (pictured above by Marco Borggreve), and received subsequent performances by Stephanie Aston and Keren Motseri.

Listen to Keren Motseri’s rendering of article 5 [delphin, gekrümmte zeit] (2008; German version, 2022) on Spotify, Apple Music or Youtube (listening link below). The recording is part of Rozalie Hirs’ portrait album Infinity Stairs (2025), featuring her solo and chamber works.

listen

programme notes

article 5 [dolphin, curved time] (2008) for solo soprano is based on Hirs’ poem ‘tuimelaar’ (‘bottlenose dolphin’) from her poetry collection Geluksbrenger (Lucky Charm, Querido, Amsterdam, 2008). In 2022, she created the German version of the composition, article 5 [delphin, gekrümmte zeit], based on the German translation of the poem, featured in her multilingual poetry collection gestammelte werke (work in stuttering, kookbooks, Berlin, 2017).

Both compositions employ intricate calculations, processing source materials through pitch and time distortions. These materials originate from Hirs’ orchestral work roseherte (2008), which explores spectral harmonies derived from two dominant seventh chords a fifth apart, interacting through ring modulation and successive arpeggiation. In article 5, these harmonies take on a melodic character, projected onto curves and planes. Some durations are stretched into full melodies, while others are compressed into ornamentations like grace notes and trills. The material’s tessitura evolves dynamically, rising from the lower registers in wave-like motion, evoking a dolphin swimming through undulating waters. The result is a challenging yet expressive work that highlights the voice’s natural beauty, akin to the complexity and seeming effortlessness of birdsong.

details

commission
article 5 [delphin, gekrümmte zeit] (2008; German version, 2022) by Rozalie Hirs was commissioned by Marja Bon for the Wendingen Festival 2008.

instrumentation
soprano solo

duration
11′ ca.

publisher
The score of article 5 [delphin, gekrümmte zeit] (2008; German version, 2022) can be purchased through its publisher Deuss Music.

poem
The poem ‘tümmler’ by Rozalie Hirs is part of her multilingual collection gestammelte werke (Berlin: kookbooks Verlag, 2017). Its German translation was created by the author in collaboration with Daniela Seel, publisher at kookbooks. The original Dutch poem, ‘tuimelaar’, was first published in Hirs’ collection Geluksbrenger (Amsterdam: Uitgeverij Querido | Singel Uitgeverijen.

performances

24 October 2021, 20:00 CET, Portrait concert: Rozalie Hirs, Studio Loos, The Hagues, The Netherlands – Keren Motseri (soprano)

30 November 2012, 19:30 PDT, The Artist Concert Series, San Diego Music, The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall Street, La Jolla, California, United States – Stephanie Aston (soprano) – North American premiere

15 juni 2008, 14:00 CET, Wendingen Festival, Bijbels Museum, Herengracht 368, Amsterdam, The Netherlands – Irene Maessen (soprano)

15 juni 2008, 13:00 CET, Wendingen Festival, Bijbels Museum, Herengracht 368, Amsterdam, The Netherlands – Irene Maessen (soprano)

14 juni 2008, 14:00 CET, Wendingen Festival, Bijbels Museum, Herengracht 368, Amsterdam, The Netherlands – Irene Maessen (soprano)

14 juni 2008, 13:00 CET, Wendingen Festival, Bijbels Museum, Herengracht 368, Amsterdam, The Netherlands – Irene Maessen (soprano) world premiere