Arise, Socialists!

What happens when you bring together the revolutionary writings of Marx and Engels, the Taoist wisdom of Zhuangzi, and the poetry of Tonnus Oosterhoff? The result is an unprecedented, multi-layered experience where language, music, and sound merge into something as thought-provoking as it is elusive. Poet and literary innovator Tonnus Oosterhoff and pianist Albert van Veenendaal take you on a journey full of unexpected turns—from whispered poetry to resonant overtones, from the bronze-hued sounds of a prepared piano to the echoes of an epic tale. What exactly will unfold will remain a mystery, but one thing is certain: it will be unique, defiant, and utterly captivating.

Tonnus Oosterhoff (1953) is a poet, writer, and literary innovator. His work is defined by an experimental approach to form and meaning, breaking conventional structures to create a unique poetic experience. Since his debut Boerentijger (1990), he has built an impressive, award-winning body of work, winning amongst others the P.C. Hooft Prize and the Constantijn Huygens Prize. Oosterhoff was a pioneer of digital poetry in the Netherlands and continues to explore new ways to make text move—both on paper and on screen.

Pianist and composer Albert van Veenendaal (1956) operates at the intersection of jazz, improvisation, and contemporary composition. Specializing in the prepared piano, he unlocks new sonic landscapes and pushes the boundaries of the instrument. Van Veenendaal has collaborated with a wide range of musicians and ensembles, spanning chamber music to avant-garde jazz, and has composed for theater and film. His playing is layered and narrative-driven, using subtle timbres and percussive effects to create a rich auditory experience. Experimentation is at the heart of his work, always serving expression and musical depth.