Archive 1985

In the year that Ad ’s Gravesande took over from director Frans de Ruiter, there was a strong focus on Canadian art and culture, ranging from Inuit throat singing to the spectacular horizontal pirouettes of Louise Lecavalier with La La La Human Steps. There were also Canadian films and no fewer than five evenings of Canadian electronic music. In addition, there was an extensive programme devoted to Argentine-German composer Mauricio Kagel, ranging from an encyclopaedia of sound with tuned castanets and a nail violin to more conventional orchestrations inspired by Bach (who was then pulverised into dust particles).

There was also a wealth of traditional art from South Asia: Chinese opera, Balinese gamelan music with dance about the struggle between good and evil, and Japanese kabuki, to name just a few.

Naturally, Dutch artists were also well represented. There was a Gala of Dutch Music featuring works by, among others, Simeon ten Holt and Joël Bons; an evening with the gentlemen of Herenleed op Reis; and dance by Dansgroep Krisztina de Châtel, Het Nationale Ballet and NDT.

Mauricio Kagel

'Vrijwel nooit kan de betekenis van een werk van Kagel in één zin worden samengevat, waarna men haar keurig verpakt mee naar huis neemt en vervolgens aan de vergetelheid kan prijsgeven. Werken van Kagel vragen van de luisteraar en kijker om nadenken en heroverweging. Ze worden pas duidelijk aan degene die ze met open vizier tegemoet treedt.'

more Mauricio Kagel

Welcome!

Welcome to the Holland Festival archive! The history of our festival dates back to 1947. Through the programs of each festival edition we aim to tell this history here. Currently our archive has been digitised from 1990 onwards, more history is to follow soon. Sadly some information is only available in Dutch but we aim to be as bilingual as possible. For additions or tips send an email to [email protected].