PROJECTS
G R E E N L A N D
Greenland: 16 atmospheric piano compositions inspired by Arctic landscapes
The inspiration for this album was purely visual material: the vast, serene arctic landscapes from nature documentaries, which seemed to ask for an equally understated musical counterpart. Something heavier played a role as well — my concerns about climate change, and how visible the melting ice is around Greenland in particular.
On my album Greenland, I translate that power of nature to the keys. All 16 pieces are named after a location or village in Greenland, each with its own name and meaning (see below). Musically it is not pure "peaceful piano" — there are classical influences, a touch of jazz, and here and there even tango. Apparently there was enough common ground, because Nagamag Magazine reviewed the opening track Qaanaaq beautifully:
"There's music that can be always suitable and welcome from the vast majority of listeners .... A peaceful production which will touch your soul in the most gentle way"
What followed was unpredictable: the track was played on a South Korean radio station.
And shortly after Greenland was released, the island itself suddenly landed in the world news due to discussions around a potential purchase/annexation by the US.
An earlier version of Ilulissat, back then called "Ballade for piano", won an IndabaMusic Award in 2012.
On Greenland I collaborate with Bart Soeters, Johan Olof, and Daan Holtackers.
The village names and their meanings
Each piece is named after a Greenlandic village — below the meaning behind each name:
1. Qaanaaq — hollowed out by wind or ice erosion
2. Tasiilaq — where the water is still
3. Nanortaliq — the place with polar bears
4. Qaqortoq — white
5. Paamiut — those who reside by the mouth
6. Nuuq — capes
7. Maniitsoq — the uneven
8. Sisimiut — the people living in a place where there are fox dens
9. Aasiaat — spiders
10. Ilulissat — iceberg
11. Qeqertaq — island
12. Uummannaq — heart-shaped
13. Upernavik — the springtime place
14. Ittoqqortoormiit — the place with the big houses
15. Borglum Elv (River) — the largest river of Greenland
16. Qaanaaq, reprise — arrangement for Lemon Sharks trio
Play the official solo piano music from the album Greenland by Joris Holtackers, known from NPO Klassiek among others. Available for instant download as a high-quality PDF. Level: Intermediate / Advanced. Duration: ± 5.5 minutes.
Scores of the other Greenland compositions will be available in near future.
QAANAAQ Lemon Sharks trio version (Video: Hilde Verweij)
Lemon Sharks — where three musical worlds come together in a fresh, genre-crossing sound.
With an eccentric lineup of violin, bass guitar, and piano/synthesizers, this trio builds a playful bridge between tradition and innovation.
Expect original compositions and improvisations full of imagination and an infectious groove.
MUSICIANS:
Johan Olof (violin) • Bart Soeters (bass guitar) • Joris Holtackers (piano/cymbalom/percussion)
LEMON SHARKS website • follow us on spotify
L E M O N S H A R K S
A D E P T ’ S O D E
Adept's Ode — The rediscovery of 17th-century poetry.
In this cross-border project, baroque texts blend together with modern compositions. An atmospheric journey where the deep emotions of the past are given a new, contemporary voice through piano, voice, and soundscapes.
MUSICIANS:
Philip Hölzenspies • lead vocals
Bart Soeters • bass/cello
Joris Holtackers • keys/guitars/drums/percussion
GUEST MUSICIANS:
Jasmijn Raïs (violin) • Esther Ree (violin) • Elien Willems (viola) • Sanne Bijker (cello) • Monique Kamphuis (oboe) • Mark Harms (trumpet) • Maarten Plug (trombone) • Liesbeth Vreeburg (harp)
Background photo: Martin Bosker
J A Z Z R E C O R D I N G S
IN 2012 INDABAMUSIC (NY/USA) AWARDED: HUMORESQUE, PLENTY FOUR SEVEN, SEVEN ATE NINE, TRUE ODD BLUES, JAMBALAYA
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IN 2012 INDABAMUSIC (NY/USA) AWARDED: HUMORESQUE, PLENTY FOUR SEVEN, SEVEN ATE NINE, TRUE ODD BLUES, JAMBALAYA ***
The Mood I’m In
In this atmospheric jazz composition, a quiet piano foundation melts together with Sander's soulful vocals. What started as a duo recording grew into a richly arranged piece with a modern big band instrumentation. A musical story about melancholy and the city in an autumnal transformation.
MUSICIANS:
Sander Geurts • lead vocals
Joris Holtackers • all instruments
LA Souvenir
Tijdens de Covid19 lockdown periode nodigde Waldemar Soeters (7, zoon van collega/vriend Bart) me uit om muziek te componeren op zijn geïmproviseerde drum- en percussiespel. Hier gaf hij de aanzet met zijn aanstekelijke drumpartij op de houten eetkamertafel!
MUSICIANS:
Waldemar Soeters • wooden table drumming
Joris Holtackers • all instruments
Background photo: Matthijs Zijlstra