Herder’s Herd by blokfluitist Juho Myllylä

Recorder player Juho Myllylä is a remarkably versatile musician. His debut solo album Herder’s Herd was released recently — a true showcase of the recorder’s boundless possibilities — and has been met with enthusiastic critical acclaim. On Friday evening, 30 January, he presents this adventurous programme at Pakhûs SOLO in Stiens.

NRC praised the album as “a delightful gem”, while de Volkskrant highlighted how Juho Myllylä “effortlessly moves between meditation, refined technique and complete madness”. During the concert Herder’s Herd, Juho performs on an exceptionally wide range of recorders, from sopranino to bass and many in between. All compositions were written especially for him. Some of these works originated within the Nieuwe Noten project of the festivals Gaudeamus, November Music and the Grachtenfestival, where Juho was featured as an artist in 2023.

The title piece Herder’s Herd was composed by Latvian composerRaivis Misjuns (1993). This contemplative work for alto recorder consists of rhythmic, soothing broken chords. Through subtle shifts in emphasis and articulation, the piece takes on a calming yet hypnotic quality.

Her immeasurable soul for soprano recorder and bass flute by Icelandic composer Hildur Elísa Jónsdóttir (1993) explores the relationship between two lovers seeking to bridge the distance between them. Across four movements, we follow the pair as they attempt to overcome their differences and allow individuality to fade into the background. High flute tones, breath, voice — including sighs and groans — evoke a rich imaginary world, while the partially graphic score leaves room for improvisation.

Belgian composer Ernst Spyckerelle (1991) drew inspiration for his three-part work Marsyas from the Greek myth of Marsyas, the half-man, half-goat who challenged the god Apollo to a musical contest with his aulos against Apollo’s lyre.

Originally from Finland, Juho Myllylä studied recorder at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam with Jorge Isaac. His work spans the full breadth of the musical landscape, from medieval and Renaissance music to contemporary repertoire and even jazz, rock and electronic music. He is always seeking new ways to integrate the recorder. He has performed at festivals such as November Music, Gaudeamus and the Grachtenfestival, and is a regular member of Ensemble Gamut! and The Royal Wind Music. In addition, Juho is active as a rock musician, serving as guitarist and singer-songwriter for the progressive alternative rock bandBurntfield.

The concert lasts approximately onehour and hasnointermission. Coffee or tea is served beforehand, with a drink afterwards.