La Forêt ~ Drie Rivieren

Music by Mark Van Overmeire

℗ 2021 Kramúsica Records

About the Recording

In this world-premiere recording, Irina Kulikova presents two suites for solo guitar by the Belgian composer, guitarist and percussionist Mark Van Overmeire. Inspired by nature and memory, La Forêt and Drie Rivieren invite the listener into a world of atmosphere, colour and quiet reflection. Written in an accessible and lyrical musical language, the works unfold naturally, allowing each scene and impression to emerge at its own pace.

This recording marks the fifth collaboration between Irina Kulikova and GRAMMY®-winning producer Norbert Kraft. Together they have created recordings distinguished by clarity, warmth and attention to detail. In La Forêt ~ Drie Rivieren, those qualities serve music that invites the listener not only to hear, but also to pause, reflect and discover.

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Programme – La Forêt ~ Drie Rivieren

La Forêt (The Forest) – Mark Van Overmeire

Suite for Classical Guitar

Sous les arbres (Under the trees)

Le cri et bruit des animaux (The calls and sounds of animals)

Courant de cascade (Waterfall stream)

Le son du vent et des feuilles (The sound of wind and leaves)

Les oiseaux chantent tôt le matin (Birds sing early in the morning)

Les belles couleurs de l’automne (The beautiful colors of autumn)

Drie Rivieren (Three Rivers) – Mark Van Overmeire

Suite for Classical Guitar

Kronkelend door de jungle – (Winding through the jungle)

Langs de Vallei der Koningen – (Passing by the Valley of the Kings)

Doorheen de lichtstad (Through the city of light)

Album notes by composer Mark Van Overmeire

It is my great pleasure to introduce to you the world premiere recording of 2 suites for classical guitar, “La Forêt” (The Forest) and “Drie Rivieren” (Three Rivers), interpreted on this recording by the wonderful Irina Kulikova.

La Forêt (The Forest)

“La Forêt” (The Forest) takes me back to childhood memories. In the neighborhood where I lived as a young child. there were some woods. I must have been around 10 years old. One day when strolling by myself in the woods I discovered a tree cabin high up a tree. I could not resist and climbed my way up to the tree cabin. It was magical. I sat down and had an amazing view and felt that the world belonged to me. That memory and the way I felt that day has stayed with me.

The six movements of “La Forêt” (The Forest) take you on an outing in the great outdoors, a beautiful forest with all its mysteries and secrets for you to discover at your own leisure. Under the trees, you hear the calls and sounds of animals; the sound of wind and leaves keep you company while you follow a picturesque stream and take in the forest in all its beauty.

Drie Rivieren (Three Rivers)

“Drie Rivieren” (Three Rivers) is an homage to three ancient and iconic rivers that have witnessed life since the beginning of time.

The suite starts with “Kronkelend door de jungle” (Winding through the jungle) which is an ode to the Amazon river (Brazil). A river boat winds slowly through the rainforest. Colorful birds fill the sky singing beautiful melodies. The sun is setting.

This is followed by a more royal experience with “Langs de Vallei der Koningen” (Passing by the Valley of the Kings). Here we are traveling back in time on The Nile (Egypt) where we are witnessing, from some distance, a ceremony of the pharaohs, the coronation of the “gold king” Tutankhamun perhaps.

We end our journey in Paris (France) on the Seine. The lights have just come on in the city; we see the Eiffel Tower in the distance; music reaches our ears from the many cafe’s and we enjoy a romantic evening out with our loved one. It’s a night that we will cherish forever.

Mark Van Overmeire composer
February 2021