Merlijn Twaafhoven

Composer Merlijn Twaalfhoven (1976) and his La Vie sur Terre Society’s unusual and often large-scale projects immerse a wide public in an experience for all the senses.
In unique locations (such as the Rijksmuseum, Vredenburg, Paradiso, harbours or dunes), classical musicians work together with performers such as farmer bands, DJs, children, chefs and hair dressers

Merlijn’s compositions find inspiration in archaic and non-Western music, and in which a balance between the vital sounds of nature and refined melodies offer a multi-faceted sound palette.
His works have been performed by orchestras in the Netherlands, Japan, Belgium and Switzerland, and have been recipients of several prizes.

As lecturer in “Pop Art” at the art school ArtEZ, he researches how artists can reach a new and diverse public without giving up their artistic vision and ideas.
He is himself striving to accomplish this in his projects with La Vie sur Terre and in cooperative projects with, among others, Theatre Group Amsterdam, the dance company Greco|PC and the Springdance Festival. He has also produced numerous projects on location with local musicians in Central Europe. Merlijn’s work has aired as regularly on MTV as on Radio 4.

For more information, see his website: www.twaalfhoven.net