In 1905, Abraham Kuyper travelled through sixteen countries around the Mediterranean. The 68-year-old politician, theologian and journalist did so by rail, by boat, in a covered wagon and sometimes on horseback. It is possible that during this Expedition, Kuyper has met with the music of the old gipsies from Eastern Europe, and with Jewish Ukrainian music by a then famous singer. It is also likely he touched upon styles of music from the classical Arab tradition, and Ottoman and Sephardic music as well as music from the Maghreb.
Tony Overwater (bass) and Rembrandt Frerichs (fortepiano) were inspired by this fascinating journey and wrote music that served as a soundtrack for an eight-episode documentary about Kuyper's trip around the world, broadcast in 2015. The musicians asked violinist Rosanne Philippens to experience the trip all over again. She turned out to be the ideal partner to perform the lilting, spirited sounds of the South-East of Europe.