Manneke's intention and motivation to write a substantial piano work were partly inspired by six eminent musicians, to each of whom he dedicated a part: Ralph van Raat, Geoffrey Madge, Kelvin Grout, Hannes Minnaar, Jelena Bazova and Daniël Kramer.
Over time, Daan Manneke has designed a composition concept that has fascinated and inspired him for many years. The Archipel concept: 'islands' located close to each other, each with their individual manner of existence. Through exchanges and connections, they sometimes more or less lose their individuality and acquire a hybrid character. This osmosis can generate new properties and dynamics. Conversely, islands can become isolated, decay or disappear entirely.
Grote Archipel consists of six parts, which can also be performed separately.
Rather than a decorative-illustrative atmospheric drawing, it is an abstract work based on universal situations. Meaningful metaphors include approaching-disappearing, disintegrating-connecting, status quo, variety and, always, the iso-rhythmic clock loops. Manneke's key motto is s p a c e.
Daan Manneke[1939] studied Organ and Composition at the conservatories of Tilburg, Brussels and Amsterdam. He taught the main subjects Composition and Contemporary Musical Analysis at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam (the music division of the Amsterdam University of the Arts) for many years. During his time with this institute, he initiated the establishment of a Young Talent Class Composition. He was also the founder and, for more than forty years, the conductor of the renowned chamber choir Cappella Breda.
Daan Manneke's oeuvre comprises approximately three hundred compositions, most of which were commissioned and published by Donemus Publishing. His work is characterised by vocality and spatial monumentality. Composer Ton de Leeuw, Manneke's teacher, described his work as: "[.] sensual, almost tangible timbres and expressive gestures. As if the composer were writing for an imaginary theatre.[.]"
Daan Manneke has received many awards and is considered one of the most frequently performed composers in the Netherlands. A large part of his work has been documented on CD, and several (scientific) articles have been devoted to his oeuvre. He lives in Breda, and in 2014 he was awarded the honourable title of Honorary Bandmaster of the Great Church, also known as the Church of Our Lady, of Breda. His portrait in bronze, made by sculptor Pauline Eecen, is on display in the presbytery of this church. As a result of his many years of involvement in French culture, he was awarded the Diplôme de Médaille d'Argent in 2018 by the Société Académique Arts-Sciences-Lettres.