Frank Crijns studied composition at the Rotterdam Conservatory with Peter- Jan Wagemans and Klas de Vries. As a composer, he is actively involved in creating works for a wide range of soloists and ensembles, including the works Krimp (for bass clarinet, written for H. Peynenburg), Speed- Well (composed for the Dutch Ballet Orchestra and the Ensemble Ereprijs), Tri- (for the Trio Nu), Il Pezzo Rotto (commissioned by The Vonk) and the mixed choral/ instrumental piece A La Vaghezza Troppa, commissioned by the Brabant Foundation for New Music. He is also very involved in performing both contemporary and improvised music. His ensemble Blast has released four CDs on Cuneiform Records and he also plays with Big Band New Music and the Positive Nuns, which has recorded a CD for the Italian label Pantheistic Records. His interest in improvised music has led him to work with such noted musicians as Fred Frith, Elliot Sharp, Tim Hodgkinson, and others.

Tonk (1996)
for saxophone quartet

Dedicated to Quasar

The title refers to "honky- tonk", not so much in the harmonic or melodic material of the style, but rather in the character and the rhythmic approach to the music. This character and approach is placed in the broader context of 20th- century new music, with a wink to the polymelodic and polyrythmic master Conlon Nancarrow. Nancarrow's subtle influence reveals what the music is about: polyrhythm, polymelody and drive. The piece moves from pounding virtuoso chords and melodies to serene repetitive moments. Tonk was premiered by Quasar in 1996 at the Théâtre La Chapelle (Montreal)

Discography : Quasar quatuor de saxophones, ATMA (ALCD 2 1020)