Description
The world premiere (2026) of "Who has seen the wind?" by Dutch composer Hanneke van Proosdij. Poem by Christina Rossetti.
Notes from the composer:
"In Who Has Seen the Wind?, I divide the work into four sections: an introduction, a first verse, a duet between the voice and percussion, and a concluding second verse.
While each instrument maintains a distinct structure and soundscape, the entire ensemble is tied together by the stabilizing role of the percussion.
The vocal part incorporates _sprechstimme_ (abstract vocalized sounds) and wordplay.
Accompanying the voice, the recorder generates atmospheric wind sounds, plays with the consonants of the text and concludes in an echo canon with the vocal line.
The archlute plays ostinato motives that shift across different rhythmic cycles, ensuring its placement within the bar is constantly changing.
The harp is consistently bringing texture that, when combined with the shifting archlute patterns, never sounds the same.
Reflecting these rhythmic transformations, the viol and baroque viola alternate between _sul tasto_ tremolos and pizzicato figures that interlock with the archlute at varying cycles.
The percussion part forms the structural backbone of the work. Both the percussion part and the voice-percussion duet were developed through improvisation in close collaboration with performers Peter Maund, Molly Netter and myself, allowing their creative voices to become an integral part of the composition."
Who has seen the wind? Poem by Christina Rossetti
Who has seen the wind?
Neither I nor you :
But when the leaves hang trembling,
The wind is passing through.
Who has seen the wind?
Neither you nor I :
But when the trees bow down their heads,
The wind is passing by.
About the composer:
Hanneke van Proosdij is a distinguished Dutch-American musician, conductor, and composer celebrated for her virtuosity on the recorder and early keyboard instruments. As cofounder of Voices of Music, she has built the most popular Early Music ensemble in the U.S., reaching a global audience via their award-winning YouTube channel. A versatile collaborator, Hanneke is the principal early keyboardist for the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and the FestspielOrchester Göttingen. Her performance career includes appearances with the San Francisco Symphony, LA Phil, Chanticleer, and Concerto Palatino. She has appeared on over 100 albums and 500 high-definition music videos.
As a composer, Hanneke is recognized for cross-cultural and atonal works, including the recent world premiere of _Parea_ in Göttingen, Germany, the prize-winning _Musical Crossroads,_ and _Wu Song and the Tiger._
A dedicated educator, she taught for many years at UC Berkeley, cofounded the Junior Recorder Society and has led workshops for SFEMS for over two decades. She received her solo and teaching diplomas (UM and DM) from the Royal Conservatory in The Hague in three fields: recorder, harpsichord, and electro-acoustical composition. Based in the Bay Area, she enjoys hiking and reading.
Voices of Music
Hanneke van Proosdij & David Tayler, directors
Molly Netter, soprano
Hanneke van Proosdij, conductor & recorder
Peter Maund, percussion
Shira Kammen, baroque viola
Elisabeth Reed, viola da gamba
Cheryl Fulton, triple harp
David Tayler, archlute
Music: Boby Borisov, audio engineer and ambisonics design
Video: Lloyd Hryciw & Doris Du
8K technology: David Tayler
Produced by David Tayler & Hanneke van Proosdij
Post Production: David Tayler & Andrew Levy
Audio mastering, video cutting and final 8K color and render: David Tayler
"Who has seen the wind" composition copyright 2026 Hanneke van Proosdij used by gracious permission.
Video and Soundtrack copyright 2026 Voices of Music
#ChristinaRossetti #vanProosdij