Press page Playground

Playground, music for theatre – Gijs Levelt, release date February 14, 2025

Dutch trumpet player Gijs Levelt, known for his work with Spinifex, Willem Breuker Kollektief, Amsterdam Klezmer Band, and, of course, his own work, now releases an album featuring music he has written for theatre. As the album title Playground already suggests, Levelt’s approach to these theatrical pieces is, indeed, playful, incorporating random objects such as empty beer bottles and children’s toys to craft a special sound. Genre-defying by nature, Levelt embraces anything from rap to jazz and from electronic music to ambient on Playground. 

Typical of Levelt’s music-theatrical pieces is their symbolism. More than once he uses musical instruments as characters, acting as people whose stories you badly want to hear. Be it the beer bottle, the disturbing sound of a non-stop playing transistor radio, or the lonely, touching sound of Levelt’s trumpet, every aspect creates music that speaks in images, every composition has its own distinctive mood. Some are melancholic, others aggressive or joyful. 

Still, there is consistency in the music, every composition has Levelt’s stamp on it, with an exciting combination of thought- and playfulness. A very touching example is his second single ‘Momentum’, a work with a threatening atmosphere and still a lot of humor. For instance, the inventive violin sounds will keep you listening and will make you smile each time.  

The lion’s part of the album consists of Levelts own compositions, but his takes on the intense classic ‘La Chanson des Vieux Amants’ by famous Belgian singer Jacques Brel shows Levelt’s capacity to transform known music into something adventurous and emotionally moving. Whether you have seen any of the plays these pieces were composed for or not: close your eyes and follow Levelt on his sonic journey. 

–        Mischa Andriessen

This album’s selection is comprised of music that Levelt created for the following shows: Voorbij by Theatergroep Zout (2018); Aardgasten by Theatergroep Hollands Glorie (2018); Augustus Oklahoma (2022) and Momentum (2024) by Theatergroep Vuur; The Beauty Queen of Leenane by Toneelgroep Kluif (2023); and Cloaca by Toneelgezelschap de Papegaai (2024), all directed by Mariken Bijnen. 

Listen to the album here.

Download WAVs here.

Gijs Levelt, trumpet, electronics, several instruments, and found objects

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I appreciate it if you can pay attention to this release in your medium, and I would love to hear when you do. I am certainly willing to do interviews in your program. If you would like to receive the album on CD, please let me know. For more information and requests, see contact details opposite.

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Album details:

Title: Playground, music for theatre
Artist: Gijs Levelt
Release date: 14-2-2025
Medium: digital and CD
Label: Level T Records
Cat. nr.: LTR 6714
Digital distribution worldwide: CD Baby
Barcode: 8714 6911 35331 (CD) / 198999532753 (digital)
Genre: modern creative jazz, contemporary classical, improvised, trumpet

Tracklist:
1. Momentum 06:43
2. Augustus Oklahoma, Introduction 05:31
3. Augustus Oklahoma, Underscore 01:03
4. Augustus Oklahoma, Drumbeat 03:09
5. Augustus Oklahoma, Johnna 04:00
6. The Beauty Queen 02:48
7. Cloaca, Trumpet Solo 00:59
8. Cloaca 02:30
9. Cloaca, Transition 01:20
10. Cloaca, A New Day 00:44
11. Cloaca, A New Day 2 00:32
12. Cloaca, A New Day 3 00:25
13. Cloaca, Heartbeat 01:00
14. Aardgasten, Seismogroove 09:40
15. Aardgasten, Aardbeving 02:03
16. Aardgasten, Scene 6 02:58
17. Aardgasten, Climax 02:25
18. Voorbij, Intro 03:31
19. Voorbij, Het Ding 1 03:09
20. La chanson des vieux amants 04:35
21. Voorbij, Het Ding 2 02:07
22. Voorbij, Dub des vieux amants 03:28

Total duration: 64:43

All music composed*, performed, recorded, mixed and produced by Gijs Levelt

In close collaboration with theatre director Mariken Bijnen

* except track 20. La chanson des vieux amants composed by Jacques Brel and Gérard Jouannest

Mastered by Michiel Cornelisse at Blaisdell Studio

Artwork and graphic design by Daniël Maarleveld