The Big Loud Thing is Ensemble Klang’s dynamic series of pop-up concerts. Taking place in public spaces, the series presents highlights of new music in a playful and open way, attracting alternative audiences.
In 2025 the series celebrates 80 years of one of the most important new music festivals in the world, Gaudeamus. Since 1945 the festival has showcased the future of composers, makers and music pioneers. The series gives a chance to dive in to a profoundly rich repertoire, from early winners of the Gaudeamus prize such as Pauline Oliveros (winner in 1962) and Louis Andriessen (winner in 1959), through to recent highlights from Michel van der Aa (winner in 1999), Anna Korsun (winner in 2014) and Aart Strootman (winner in 2017).
A special edition of the Big Loud Thing concert on the Netherlands’ national holiday marking liberation after the Second World War in 1945 – also the year that the Gaudeamus organisation embarked on its musical adventures. The edition features two contrasting early winners of the prize, who both went on to become two of the most influential composers of the second half of the 20th century. Louis Andriessen’s muscular and rhythmic work is contrasted with a Pauline Oliveros meditation. The programme is completed by a work by Ukrainian-born contemporary composer, now resident in The Hague, Maxim Shalygin.
The concert is a part of Vrijheidscolleges Live! 2025.
PROGRAMME
Louis Andriessen - Hout (Gaudeamus award 1959)
Maxim Shalygin - To all alive
Pauline Oliveros - Rolling Meditation and/or New Sound Meditation (Gaudeamus award 1962)