If you look at the Dutch folk songs and sing them, you'll notice that our folk songs are worthwhile. Although they are hardly sung these days, we can enjoy them by looking at the melodic simplicity and richness of music as well as the texts.

At that time, Paul van Gulick was influenced by Lutoslawski and tried to follow the character of the folk songs and add something special to it. The simplicity of the piano technique corresponds with the tradition of the origination of folk songs.

These folksongs were composed in 1984 and are dedicated to Liesbeth Wiertz, manager of the ballet department of the Centre of Art in Venlo. This good teacher, manager and captivating personality choreographed this composition and her students performed it in the theatre in Venlo. It marks that period in his life.

(Piano: Paul van Gulick; recorded by Kees Stikkers, 26.9.2008)