Merlijn Twaalfhoven
Composer Merlijn Twaalfhoven is active in writing new music for orchestras, choirs and chamber music groups from different countries, but is most known by the remarkable projects he creates with his non profit organization La Vie sur Terre.
Twaalfhoven's intention is to bridge worlds of contrast, and to mix unusual elements to a new unity. Classic and modern, western and oriental, groovy and subtle music is combined into a lively metaphor for today's world. Doing so, Twaalfhoven connects styles, cultures but first of all people. In Holland he brings together mainstream Dutch art with immigrant culture in community art projects. As another example, he took “bridging the gap” literal and positioned 400 musicians on rooftops on both the Greek and Turkish side of the buffer zone in Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus.
Last year, Merlijn worked in Jordan, Syria, Israel and Palestine, combining the Amman Symphony Orchestra with Palestinian refugee children, and creating a musical bridge across the separation wall in the Occupied Territories.
He initiated the Al Quds Underground Festival in occupied East-Jerusalem, where Western and Palestinian artist create very small, intimate performances and concerts together in private houses across the Old City.
In the coming years he hopes to bring more established musicians and orchestras in touch with artists and musicians from conflict areas and create genuine and powerful artistic work that speaks of inspiration and hope.