Kees Vlak | Composers

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Kees Vlak
Kees Vlak

Born
30.09.1938 in Amsterdam

Died
05.12.2014 in Schoorl (Bergen - Nordholland)

Info

Cornelis (Kees) Vlak was born on 30th September, 1938 in Amsterdam. He was influenced by music at young age and when he was eight years old he got his first piano lessons. Later he played the trumpet in the fanfare orchestra “Waterland“. Vlak studied piano and trumpet at the Amsterdam Conservatory (exames 1959 and 1961), and composition and conducting at the Musiklyzeum Amsterdam.

He earned money to pay his studies as trumpeter in dance bands, concert bands, broadcast and symphonic orchestras. At the same time he worked as copyist for NOS and gained experiences as arranger and composer. Due to health problems he had to quit playing the trumpet. From 1967 until his retirement in 1998 he worked as piano teacher. .

Since 1966 Kees Vlak devoted himself to wind band music. So he began to play the clarinet and double bass to become acquainted with woodwind and string instrustuments. His oeuvre contains light and serious wind music. He wrote a lot of commissioned pieces and received awards for eight of his compositions.

Kees Vlak is also working as conductor of several wind orchestras, as docent at worksjops and juror at national and international competitions.

Since 1990 Kees Vlak successfully cooperates with RUNDEL Music Publications. Many pieces that emerged during that time, established at concerts, competitions and other occasions. Vlak's compositions are firmly established in Central European band music.

Kees Vlak died on December 5, 2014 in Schoorl.

Keywords

RUNDEL - Die Musizierstunde (Ensemble Time)

RUNDEL Composers

Current Title

Kilkenny Rhapsody

Kilkenny Rhapsody

The New Village

The New Village

Maple Leaf Rag

Maple Leaf Rag

Christmas Drummer Boy

Christmas Drummer Boy

Ladybirds

Ladybirds

Listen & read from the Rundel YouTube Channel

RUNDEL VIDEO

Ladybirds

Notes available at:
https://www.rundel.de/en/

Solo for 3 Flutes and Band
Since time immemorial, the ladybug (or "Ladybird")...
RUNDEL VIDEO

Russian Dance Suite

Notes available at:
https://www.rundel.de/en/

Russische Tanzsuite
Suite in 4 Sätzen

In some of his works the composer Kees Vlak...
RUNDEL VIDEO

Indian River

Notes available at:
https://www.rundel.de/en/

Overture
The overture INDIAN RIVER starts in the minor mode and thus depicts a somewhat...
RUNDEL VIDEO

Christmas Drummer Boy

Notes available at: https://www.rundel.de/en/ based on a famous tune A famous American Christmas carol tells the story of a little boy who was...
RUNDEL VIDEO

Dschingis Khan (1162-1227)

Notes available at:
https://www.rundel.de/en/

Overture
The overture recalls the feats of one of the great heroic personalities in the...
RUNDEL VIDEO

A Nice Family

Notes available at:
https://www.rundel.de/en/

Suite for Trombone Quartet
How could the everyday life of a family be put into...
RUNDEL VIDEO

Clockwork

Notes available at:
https://www.rundel.de/en/

Many composers were inspired by the clock to write wonderful pieces, e.g. Joseph Haydn whose...
RUNDEL VIDEO

Euro Swing Parade

Notes available at:
https://www.rundel.de/en/

A Swingin' Euro Tour
Our swinging tour of Europe is a musical salute to those states,...
RUNDEL VIDEO

Israel Shalom

Notes available at:
https://www.rundel.de/en/

Kees Vlak dedicates the rhapsody "Israel Shalom" to the modern Israeli state. He...
RUNDEL VIDEO

Paperhat Collection

Notes available at:
https://www.rundel.de/en/

This collection consists of five variations on the Dutch song “One, two, three four...
RUNDEL VIDEO

Maple Leaf Rag

Notes available at:
https://www.rundel.de/en/

Ragtime for Band
Scott Joplin is regarded as one of the founders of classical ragtime. The...
RUNDEL VIDEO

Five Continents

Notes available at:
https://www.rundel.de/en/

Fünf (5) Kontinente
Mixed Quartet with opt. Percussion/Keyboard. | Grade...
RUNDEL VIDEO

Young Concert Collection

Notes available at:
https://www.rundel.de/en/

The first performance and the first concert experience together on stage: for this special...
RUNDEL VIDEO

Rhapsodie Truffée

Notes available at:
https://www.rundel.de/en/

Eine Entdeckungsreise in die Provence
Truffles are regarded as delicacy worldwide. They...
RUNDEL VIDEO

Uncle Sam on Parade

Notes available at:
https://www.rundel.de/en/

A Tribute to J.P. Sousa
U.S.A. – the United States of America are often simply...
RUNDEL VIDEO

Kilkenny Rhapsody

Notes available at:
https://www.rundel.de/en/

An Irish Rhapsody
A rhapsody is defined as an ”instrumental composition of free...
RUNDEL VIDEO

L.A. California

Notes available at:
https://www.rundel.de/en/

- Television Overture -
With his orchestral panorama “L.A.-California”, Kees Vlak wanted...
RUNDEL VIDEO

Jubiläumsfanfare - Golden Jubilee Fanfare

Notes available at:
https://www.rundel.de/en/

“Jubiläumsfanfare“ (Golden Jubilee Fanfare) is Kees Vlak’s musical...
RUNDEL VIDEO

Mary's Boy Child (eXplora)

Notes available at:
https://www.rundel.de/en/

- Christmas Song -
„Mary’s Boy Child” tells the Christmas tale. Although...
RUNDEL VIDEO

New York Overture

Notes available at:
https://www.rundel.de/en/

New York is an impressive city with a pulsating life, a melting pot of peoples and religions,...
RUNDEL VIDEO

The New Village

Notes available at:
https://www.rundel.de/en/

Fantasy for Band
In a vast, forested land, people settled and founded a village. However,...
RUNDEL VIDEO

The Young Christmas Album 3

Wonderful Christmas
A Collection of 12 modern Christmas Carols (+ ad lib. Percussion, Keyboard) Flexible 5-Parts for Clarinet Ensemble,...
RUNDEL VIDEO

Shufflin' Canon

Notes available at:
https://www.rundel.de/en/

Swing
Everybody knows the canon „Bruder Jakob“. A canon is one of the oldest...
RUNDEL VIDEO

Cinderella - Das Aschenbrödel

Notes available at:
https://www.rundel.de/en/

A Fairy Tale Suite (+ Narrator)
Märchen-Variationen (+ Erzähler)

Kees Vlak created...
RUNDEL VIDEO

Land of the Pharaohs

Notes available at:
https://www.rundel.de/en/

Das Land der Pharaonen
Overture - Ouvertüre

Chords of fifths and the gong open the...
RUNDEL VIDEO

The Old Fortress

Notes available at:
https://www.rundel.de/en/

Mornas 11th Century
Traveling to Southern France, on the highway to Lyon –...
RUNDEL VIDEO

Chrissy Variations

Notes available at:
https://www.rundel.de/en/

Chrissy is Kees Vlak’s granddaughter. He composed his piece “Chrissy...
RUNDEL VIDEO

Nordic Suite

Notes available at:
https://www.rundel.de/en/

A musical suite consists of several pieces that all relate to a certain topic, in case of the...
RUNDEL VIDEO

Sakura Variations

Notes available at:
https://www.rundel.de/en/

A Japanese Impression
The cherry blossoming “Sakura” is an annual Japanese...
RUNDEL VIDEO

Spider-Rag

Notes available at:
https://www.rundel.de/en/

Solo for Alto Saxophone
Solo für Altsaxophon

Ragtime, in short rag, is a term first...
RUNDEL VIDEO

Song for Benni

Notes available at:
https://www.rundel.de/en/

Lullaby / Wiegenlied
Kees Vlak, born in Amsterdam in 1938, can today doubtlessly be...
RUNDEL VIDEO

Colorado River

Notes available at:
https://www.rundel.de/en/

Symphonic Poem
The mighty Colorado River is about 1450 miles long and runs from the...
RUNDEL VIDEO

Mary's Boy Child

Notes available at:
https://www.rundel.de/en/

A Christmas Calypso
„Mary’s Boy Child” tells the Christmas tale. It is a...
RUNDEL VIDEO

The Young Christmas Album 2

Notes available at:
https://www.rundel.de/en/

The Second Collection of 12 classic Christmas Carols (+ ad lib. Percussion,...
RUNDEL VIDEO

The Young Christmas Album 2

Notes available at:
https://www.rundel.de/en/

The Second Collection of 12 classic Christmas Carols (+ ad lib. Percussion,...

Media center

VIDEO

Israel Shalom (Kees Vlak)

"Israel Shalom" von Kees Vlak.
VIDEO

New York Overture (Kees Vlak)

"New York Overture" von Kees Vlak, gespielt vom New Angely's Wind Orchestra unter der Leitung von Marius Firca.

Music by Kees Vlak

FILTER (161)
FILTER (161)
Total
Compositions
Arrangements
Recordings

Kilkenny Rhapsody

Kilkenny Rhapsody

A rhapsody is defined as an ”instrumental composition of free folkloristic form”. In his ”Kilkenny Rhapsody” Kees Vlak takes yet one step farther, as it is intention to portray the nature of both the...
Concert Band
MVSR2065
Wishlist
Listen
Read
YouTube

The New Village

The New Village

In a vast, forested land, people settled and founded a village. However, marauding tribes and the forces of the sea posed a continuous threat to the growing settlement. Throughout history, the...
Concert Band
MVSR1717
Wishlist
Listen
Read
YouTube

Maple Leaf Rag

Maple Leaf Rag

Scott Joplin is regarded as one of the founders of classical ragtime. The strictly rhythmic character, the zestful harmonies and impulsive dynamics of this genre find perfect expression in his...
Concert Band
MVSR2506
Wishlist
Listen
Read
YouTube

Accordion Summer

Accordion Summer

RUNDEL | audio | compact disc | CD | 118 Nürnberger Akkordeonorchester (NAO) - Leitung: Stefan Hippe Opening - Blue Night - Hotline - Charming Charly - Crans Montana - Banana Rock -...
CD (Compact Disc)
MVSR118-2
Wishlist

Christmas Drummer Boy

A famous American Christmas carol tells the story of a little boy who was too poor to bring Jesus a gift. The only thing he could offer was a song on his drum. When the baby Jesus gratefully smiled...
Concert Band
MVSR7077
Wishlist
Listen
Read
YouTube

explora disc 20 (christmas)

Little Sweet Bells (Scharnagl) - Noël Provençal (Carros) - Noche Buena (Llano) - Fantasia di Natale (Ghisallo) - Christmas Drummer Boy (Vlak)
CD (Compact Disc)
MVSR20CDEX
Wishlist

Ladybirds

Since time immemorial, the ladybug (or "Ladybird") has been understood by humans as a creature that brings happiness and joy. We also appreciate its fine and light-footed appearance. The...
Concert Band
MVSR2404
Wishlist
Listen
Read
YouTube

Venite Adoremus

RUNDEL | audio | compact disc | CD | 117 The Christmas King (Hosay) - Venite Adoremus (Briegel) - Sweet Bells Fantasy (Scharnagl) - Schlittenfahrt in den Alpen (Boesendorfer) - Go Tell It !...
CD (Compact Disc)
MVSR117-2
Wishlist

Monumentum

RUNDEL | audio | compact disc | CD | 116 Monumentum (Scharnagl) - San Ludovico (Neuboeck) - Power Surge (Hosay) - Dramatic Tales (Goetz) - Song for One World (Ghisallo) - Renaissance Suite (Susato...
CD (Compact Disc)
MVSR116-2
Wishlist

Israel Shalom

Kees Vlak dedicates the rhapsody "Israel Shalom" to the modern Israeli state. He uses folkloristic elements and creates a new piece of music. The work begins with impressions from Purim...
Concert Band
MVSR2038
Wishlist
Listen
Read
YouTube

New Compositions for Concert Band Vol.67

Western Rapsody - Intermezzo Sinfonico - Two Songs from Porgy and Bess - Overture La Poupée de Nuremberg - Une Vida, un Dia - American Suite - Lascia ch'io - Pianga - Sarabande - Pie Jesu
CD (Compact Disc)
T8170
Wishlist

explora disc 15 (christmas)

Cantus Angelus - Mentis - Mary's Boy Child - La Nuit des Cloches - O Jubel, O Freud
CD (Compact Disc)
MVSR15CDEX
Wishlist

Mary's Boy Child (eXplora)

„Mary’s Boy Child” tells the Christmas tale. Although it is a newer Christmas song, it is already quite traditional, mainly in the United States. Several famous singers and bands...
Concert Band
MVSR7059
Wishlist
Listen
Read
YouTube

RUNDEL Promo 2014

The RUNDEL promo catalog 2/2014 includes 45 new band pieces from RUNDEL Music Publications plus sample audio CD. You can listen to the audio samples here online or order the printed catalog with...
Concert Band
KAT14.2
Wishlist
Read

Paperhat Collection

This collection consists of five variations on the Dutch song “One, two, three four hats from paper” (“hoedje von papier”). It’s a song that tells people not to take...
Concert Band, Mixed Ensemble (Woodwinds/Brass)
MVSR4015
Wishlist
Read
YouTube

Clockwork

Many composers were inspired by the clock to write wonderful pieces, e.g. Joseph Haydn whose Symphony No. 101 is also called “The Clock”. Adding the melody of the most famous clock in the...
Concert Band, Mixed Ensemble (Woodwinds/Brass)
MVSR4013
Wishlist
Listen
Read
YouTube

Nordic Suite

A musical suite consists of several pieces that all relate to a certain topic, in case of the “Nordic Suite” that is Scandinavia and its countries. 1. Swedish March Sweden is depicted...
Concert Band, Mixed Ensemble (Woodwinds/Brass)
MVSR4011
Wishlist
Read
YouTube

The Old Fortress

Traveling to Southern France, on the highway to Lyon – l’aoutoroute du soleil – you pass a fortress that dates from the 11th century. It lies high and invulnerable on a rock and is...
Concert Band, Mixed Ensemble (Woodwinds/Brass)
MVSR4014
Wishlist
Listen
Read
YouTube

Young Concert Collection

The first performance and the first concert experience together on stage: for this special moment, the Dutch composer Kees Vlak wrote a small concerto. It consists of five equally small...
Concert Band, Mixed Ensemble (Woodwinds/Brass)
MVSR4006
Wishlist
Read
YouTube

Jubiläumsfanfare

“Jubiläumsfanfare“ (Golden Jubilee Fanfare) is Kees Vlak’s musical gift to Musikverlag RUNDEL on the occasion of its 50th anniversary in 2014. In the same year, the Dutch...
Concert Band
MVSR2957
Wishlist
Listen
Read
YouTube

Panta Rhei

RUNDEL | audio | compact disc | CD | 90 Die Rückbesinnung der Menschen auf Traditionen und heimische Kultur nimmt in den letzten Jahren immer mehr zu. Geprägt durch unseren modernen...
CD (Compact Disc)
MVSR090-2
Wishlist

RUNDEL Promo 2013

The RUNDEL promo catalog 1/2013 includes 36 new band pieces from RUNDEL Music Publications plus sample audio CD. You can listen to the audio samples here online or order the printed catalog with...
Concert Band
KAT13.1
Wishlist

Westcoast

RUNDEL | audio | compact disc | CD | 95 New Festival Music - Westcoast Concerto (for Piano & Band) - Aria d'Amore - Die Gedanken ... Spiele Lead Me Home - Crith Mhonadh (Crimond Church...
CD (Compact Disc)
MVSR095-2
Wishlist

RUNDEL Promo 2012

The RUNDEL promo catalog 1/2012 includes 38 new band pieces from RUNDEL Music Publications plus sample audio CD. You can listen to the audio samples here online or order the printed catalog with...
Concert Band
KAT12.1
Wishlist

Mein Brandenburg

“Mein Brandenburg” was written by Kees Vlak as a commission for the Brandenburg Police Band on the occasion of the ceremony marking the retirement of Brandenburg’s Minister of the Interior, Jörg...
Concert Band
MVSR2617
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Listen
Read

Arcus

RUNDEL | audio | compact disc | CD | 80 Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Tokyo Band Stabsmusikkorps der Japanischen Marine Tokio Der Zigeunerbaron (Ouvertüre) - Arcus - Die Rheinreise...
CD (Compact Disc)
MVSR080-2
Wishlist

The Young Explorer Part 3

The trilogy THE YOUNG EXPLORER is a special edition of the series EXPLORA. Composer Kees Vlak wants to show with this extraordinary project how a composition and the work of the composer...
Concert Band
MVSR7041
Wishlist
Listen
Read

The Young Explorer Part 2

The trilogy THE YOUNG EXPLORER is a special edition of the series EXPLORA. Composer Kees Vlak wants to show with this extraordinary project how a composition and the work of the composer...
Concert Band
MVSR7040
Wishlist
Listen
Read

The Young Explorer Part 1

The trilogy THE YOUNG EXPLORER is a special edition of the series EXPLORA. Composer Kees Vlak wants to show with this extraordinary project how a composition and the work of the composer...
Concert Band
MVSR7039
Wishlist
Listen
Read

Chrissy Variations

Chrissy is Kees Vlak’s granddaughter. He composed his piece “Chrissy Variations” for her, drafting a musical picture of the relationship between he and his grandchild. After a...
Concert Band, Mixed Ensemble (Woodwinds/Brass)
MVSR4012
Wishlist
Listen
Read
YouTube

RUNDEL Promo 2011

The RUNDEL promo catalog 1/2011 includes 43 new band pieces from RUNDEL Music Publications plus sample audio CD. You can listen to the audio samples here online or order the printed catalog with...
Concert Band
KAT11.1
Wishlist

Sakura Variations

The cherry blossoming “Sakura” is an annual Japanese highlight marking the beginning of spring. Starting in mid-March, the blooming wanders from the South of the country up to the...
Concert Band
MVSR7069
Wishlist
Listen
Read
YouTube

explora disc 12

La Vida Mexicana - Fantâsia - Sakura Variations - Bolero Nocturno - Make Music!
CD (Compact Disc)
MVSR12CDEX
Wishlist

Rhapsodie Truffée

Truffles are regarded as delicacy worldwide. They are special because you cannot plant or cultivate them. You have to find them! This fact gives them a mysterious and precious character. A region...
Concert Band
MVSR2638
Wishlist
Listen
Read
YouTube

Accordion Inspirations

RUNDEL | audio | compact disc | CD | 89 Nuremberg Accordeon Orchestra (NAO) - Conductor: Stefan Hippe All titles are published for Accordion Orchestra by RUNDEL Music Publications. Return to...
CD (Compact Disc)
MVSR089-2
Wishlist

Fiskinatura

RUNDEL | audio | compact disc | CD | 77 Fiskinatura (Thiemo Kraas) - Cabo Verde (Markus Götz) - Deutschlandbilder (Alfred Bösendorfer) - Northern Thai Suite (Thorsten Wollmann) - A Galactic Suite...
CD (Compact Disc)
MVSR077-2
Wishlist
YouTube

RUNDEL Promo 2010

The RUNDEL promo catalog 2/2010 includes 38 new band pieces from RUNDEL Music Publications plus sample audio CD. You can listen to the audio samples here online or order the printed catalog with...
Concert Band
KAT10.2
Wishlist

Andalucia

Ensemble Time (Die Musizierstunde) Time MZ 294 (Woodwind Quintet - Flute / Oboe / Clarinet / Horn / Bassoon) Set of Parts: Score Flute Oboe Bb Clarinet F...
Ensemble (Woodwinds)
MVSR5294
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Read

The Young Christmas Album 3

A Collection of 12 modern Christmas Carols (+ ad lib. Percussion, Keyboard) Flexible 5-Parts for Clarinet Ensemble, Woodwind Ensemble, Saxophone Ensemble, Brass-Ensemble, Fanfare-Orkest (+...
Concert Band, Mixed Ensemble (Woodwinds/Brass)
MVSR4019

Uncle Sam on Parade

U.S.A. – the United States of America are often simply called the U.S. The outcome of this short form was the nickname “Uncle Sam”. UNCLE SAM ON PARADE was written in the style...
Concert Band
MVSR7029
Wishlist
Listen
Read
YouTube

Sakura Variations

The blooming of the cherry trees each spring is a great event in Japan. In the evening friends meet under the pink and white cherry blossoms for a picnic. It is a striking sight, especially in big...
Concert Band
MVSR2588
Wishlist
Listen
Read

Accordion Panorama

RUNDEL | audio | compact disc | CD | 69 Nuremberg Accordeon Orchestra (NAO) - Conductor: Stefan Hippe All titles are published for Accordion Orchestra by RUNDEL Music Publications. Adventure...
CD (Compact Disc)
MVSR069-2
Wishlist

Tales from the Shore

“Tales from the Shore“, an irish rhapsody by Kees Vlak opens with a musical picture of the wild ocean (“The Sea“): Waves crash against the coast and rocks cleave the...
Concert Band
MVSR2535
Wishlist
Listen
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Sound of Spring

RUNDEL | audio | compact disc | CD | 62 A Day Of Hope - The Golden Lion - Lichtblicke (Rays Of Hope) - Spassvogel-Variationen - Tales From The Shore - Sound Of Spring - Sakura Variations - March...
CD (Compact Disc)
MVSR062-2
Wishlist

Mary's Boy Child

„Mary’s Boy Child” tells the Christmas tale. It is a newish Christmas song but yet in America it is already quite traditional. Several famous singers and bands have performed and...
Concert Band
MVSR2508
Wishlist
Listen
Read
YouTube

Naniwa Orchestral Winds 2008

- NO LONGER AVAILABLE - Welcome the the Imagination World - Toccata Marziale - Russian Dance Suite - El Camino Real - Fanfare and Allegro - Folklore for Band - Molly on the Shore - Poem Montagnard...
CD (Compact Disc)
TDIV558
no longer available
Wishlist

Colorado River

The mighty Colorado River is about 1450 miles long and runs from the snow-covered Rocky Mountains through the USA and Mexico to the Gulf of California. In his composition COLORADO RIVER Kees Vlak...
Concert Band
MVSR2537
Wishlist
Listen
Read
YouTube

Song for Benni

Kees Vlak, born in Amsterdam in 1938, can today doubtlessly be considered one of the most significant Dutch composers of his generation. His works are performed throughout Europe, and as an...
Concert Band
MVSR2511
Wishlist
Listen
Read
YouTube

L.A. California

With his orchestral panorama “L.A.-California”, Kees Vlak wanted to create a homage to the beauty of California and the city of Los Angeles. Even though this area of America can not look back on a...
Concert Band
MVSR2528
Wishlist
Listen
Read
YouTube

Imagasy

RUNDEL | audio | compact disc | CD | 58 Adventure (Götz) - Imagasy (Kraas) - Silva Nigra (Götz) - Burlesque e Cantabile (Stanék) - Song for Benni (Vlak) - Scandinavia (Bösendorfer) - Another...
CD (Compact Disc)
MVSR058-2
Wishlist
YouTube