Stijn Roels

The Essence of Youth

In The Essence of Youth the composer gives an insight into childhood and youth - inspired by his own daughter. The opening of sparking rhythms, dynamic contrasts and changes of time signature paint a vivid picture of the unpredictability of children. The first and second movements recount the love - and also tension and the worries - in the adult-child bond, through dissonant harmonies but also pretty melodies. The fugue-like ending leads to a final splendid chorale: a picture of proud parents with their child!