In September 2014 I arrived in Den Haag, Netherlands to begin my year of Fulbright Study. I am making many field recordings with my portable recorder (Zoom H4n), plus photos of the recording events.
This page features the Audio Postkaarten (Audio Postcards) of my sonic experiences this year.
Happy Listening!!!
Audio Postkaart 1: Trein Lied (Train Song)
This first Audio Postcard originates from my train ride en route to Den Haag, Netherlands. The sounds was rich in rhythm, layers, and even melody.
Audio Postkaart 2: Trein Deuren (Train Doors)
This second Audio Postcard captures the mechanical opening and closing of doors on the train, and how they change our sonic experience.
Audio Postkaart 3: Gelukkig Meeuwen (Happy Gulls)
I stumbled upon a large flock of seagulls feasting on a very large chunk of frozen fish. They were so happy and celebrating with such cacophony!
Audio Postkaart 4: Oceaangolven (Ocean Waves)
Recorded at close range at Scheveningen Beach on September 5, 2014.
Audio Postkaart 5: Bedelen Meeuw (Begging gull)
A seagull chases away a competitor and begins to beg for Dutch fries.
Audio Postkaart 6: Roltrap (Escalator)
Escalator in Den Haag Centraal Station, recorded September 9, 2014.
Audio Postkaart 7: Tram Signaal (Tram Signal)
Closeup of tram warning signal. It consists of a yellow tram picture and a loudspeaker on a pole above the yield sign. Recorded September 9, 2014 near Den Haag Centraal Station.
Audio Postkaart 8: Cowlicked
My friend Paolo and I went to the Dutch countryside to meet some cows. We were greeted by a very curious bunch who sniffed the microphone and let me pet them. Let’s just say those cows have powerful, pleasantly rough tongues.
Audio Postkaart 9: In-/uitchecken
The classic inchecken/uitchecken sound of the public transit in the Netherlands. All tickets and rides are paid by a chipcard. Inchecken = 1 beep, uitchecken = 3 beeps. Recording made September 9, 2014 in Den Haag Centraal.
Audio Postkaart 10: Demonstration
On October 4, 2014 I happened upon the end of a demonstration in Den Haag’s city center (outside Dr. Anton Philips Zaal) in support of the Kurds in Kobani against ISIS. One of the banners read “STEUN DE KOERDEN IN KOBANI TEGEN ISIS”, and men and women were leading the chants.
Audio Postkaart 11: Kermissen (Fairgrounds)
Fairgrounds are one of the most aggressive places in terms of visual and sonic stimulation. This track is about the overlapping ‘muzak’, and how this creates the quintessential fairground atmosphere.
September 15, 2014 (Malieveld, Den Haag, Netherlands)
Audio Postkaart 12: Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam Escalator
On Tuesday, October 21, we went to the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, and viewed paintings, sculptures and multimedia art. (2,0054 m2 gallery and program space) Many were by world masters of the discipline. This is a recording of the 1-minute escalator sound installation from the basement to the ground floor. Also, the inside walls are painted.
Audio Postkaart 13: Fairground Bobbing Duck Stand
Fairground sounds, including the people enjoying the fishing for bobbing ducks game.
September 15, 2014 (Malieveld, Den Haag, Netherlands)
Audio Postkaart 14: Field Hockey #1
Field hockey is another favorite pastime in the Netherlands. A friend took us to his field hockey club, which has 30 adult teams (men’s and women’s), plus many children’s teams. This Sunday afternoon/evening had three fields of games going on at one time. In this recording you can hear the #1 men’s team of Were Di, plus some of a women’s game overlapped with it.
Recording: October 27, 2014 (on my smart phone since I did not have my Zoom H4N)
Audio Postkaart 15: Field Hockey #2
Field hockey is another favorite pastime in the Netherlands. A friend took us to his field hockey club, which has 30 adult teams(men’s and women’s), plus many children’s teams. This Sunday afternoon/evening had three fields of games going on at one time. In this recording you can hear the #1 men’s team of Were Di, plus a very engaged audience.
Recording: October 27, 2014 (on my smart phone since I did not have my Zoom H4N)
Audio Postkaart 16: Basiliek van den H. Nicolaas
Afternoon visit in the Basiliek van den H. Nicolaas (Basilica of St. Nicholas) in Amsterdam diagonally across from Central Station. Celebrations of its 125th year finished last December. Various tourists, visitors, people praying, and an organist practicing.
Recording Nov. 5, 2014
Audio Postkaart 17: Coinshaker with Musicbox
Apart from the silent human statues and other street performers a blind man stood shaking a metal coin purse to a little music box. A passerby suggested I donate to thank him for the recording, so I did. 🙂
Recording: November 5, 2014, near Royal Palace square.
Audio Postkaart 18: De Vinger
After the CASS Concert (featuring sonology, art science, and composition students), there was an afterparty at De Vinger with sonology students DJing. When standing outside, I noticed that the beats made the whole window/large door vibrate in rhythm.
Recording: November 4, 2014
Audio Postkaart 19: Children’s Concert
Joyous cacophony drew me to the square in front of the Dr. Anton v. Philipszaal. Hundreds of children waiting for a morning concert created a concert of their own. I recommend listening to this track with headphones.
Recording: November 13, 2014
Audio Postkaart 20: Demonstration by young students, parents, and teachers
Demonstration by young students, parents and teachers protesting the planned closing of a school. Signs read slogans such as “AC Acoysius College BLIJFT!”
Outside of the Gemeente Den Haag
Recording: November 20, 2014
Audio Postkaart 21: Magna Plaza
Magna Plaza, now a shopping mall, was once the central post office of Amsterdam. Architect Cornelis H. Peters (1874-1932) designed it in a neo-gothic style, and this building is considered a monument in the city, and a Dutch heritage site (July 9, 1974). In 1991 significant changes were made inside to allow the public access to all levels of the building, which were restricting while used as a post office, and a large main entrance added to accommodate pedestrian traffic. H. Ruijssenaars led the renovation.
The exterior is very ornate and worth seeing as well. The audio is of a walk of the ground floor.
Recording: November 5, 2014
Audio Postkaart 22: Straatorgel (Street Organ)
One of the joys of downtown Den Haag is the giant street organ that you can hear from several blocks away. Beautifully painted and manned by two gentlemen, these pipes on wheels liven up the pedestrian shopping area. There are two figurines that play the bells. On the back you can see two big cranks, but I have a feeling this street organ is powered by a generator.
Also, since the favorite Dutch holiday Sintaklaas is approaching (December 5), the little banner reads “Welkom Sint & en Piet.”
Recording: November 22, 2014, Den Haag, between C&A
and HEMA.
Audio Postkaart 23: Residentieorkest rehearsal with Truls Mork
Rehearsal of Dvorák Cello Concerto. Neeme Järvi, conductor, and Truls Mørk, cello. Attended the concert the next night. Such a beautiful performance. Program included: H. Andriessen “Ricercare”, Dvorák “Celloconcert”, and Shostakovich “Symfonie nr. 5”.
Recording: Hall in Dr Anton Philipszaal in Den Haag. November 20, 2014
Audio Postkaart 24: Grote Kerk Den Haag
Grote Kerk in the heart of Den Haag. Given the musicality and variety of repertoire, I think it was a carillion concert in the 12 o’clock hour. Excerpt.
Recording: November 28, 2014
Audio Postkaart 25: Streetsweeper
A walk around Oude Kerk
Recorded November 5, 2014
Audio Postkaart 26: Valkenburg Kerstman
The underground Christmas market In Valkenburg near Maastricht is a festive curiosity indeed. The labyrinth of tunnels filled with shops and lights and wall drawings was a ball to explore! Of course there is also an above-ground version in the city center.
Recording: Dec. 14, 2014
Audio Postkaart 27: Valkenburg Sand Sculptures
In yet another series of caves in Valkenburg, I saw impressive, detailed, and varied sand sculptures detailing the Christmas story. How many hours these sculptures must take. What patience.
Recording: Dec. 14, 2014. Made in the largest, most cavernous room of the exhibition.
Photos and Recordings (c) 2014 and (c) 2015 by Yvonne Freckmann