biography
"Style is remarkably instantaneous. Whether we listen to music, admire a painting, read a novel, or watch a film, within mere seconds Style shows itself to be an apposite protagonist. True, it is not easy to put into words what Style is, but that makes reflecting on it all the more fascinating. On the other hand, Style is never the point of departure for my creative process. As I explore new, unknown sounds I travel through many regions, such as: Concept, Design, Structure, Process, Form, Development, Character, Mood, and Meaning. Style is actually the unexpected final destination.”

This is, in his own words, how the composer Richard Rijnvos interprets the numerous manifestations of his music. It is not uncommon for his latest composition to cause some confusion amongst listeners due to the apparent contrast with previous works. Nevertheless, the sculptural stasis of Block Beuys, the iron skyscraper chords in Times Square Dance, the poised calm in acqua alta, the jazz band reminiscences in NYConcerto, the contemplative theatricality of mappamondo, the feathery suppleness of Riflesso sul tasto – one by one these pieces originated from the same mind, setting off on an expedition towards terra incognita.

Born 1964 in Tilburg (the Netherlands), Richard Rijnvos studied composition with Jan van Vlijmen and Brian Ferneyhough at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague. After finishing these studies summa cum laude he received a DAAD scholarship with which he followed an additional postgraduate study at the Musikhochschule in Freiburg (Germany). In the period 1986-92 he came in touch with the American composers Morton Feldman and John Cage, who caused crucial changes in his development. There are also a number of distinct extramusical influences by artists such as William Burroughs, Samuel Beckett, Joseph Beuys, Italo Calvino, and Ernst Jandl.