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Pierius Magnus
Pier Gerlofs Donia (c. 1480–1520) is a historical figure from Friesland, often called Grutte Pier (Big Pier) due to his large stature. Originally a farmer from the Frisian village of Kimswerd, Pier became a freedom fighter when Frisia was regularly attacked by the Counts of Holland. In 1515, after a Saxon mercenary army plundered and burned his farm, Pier began his fight against the occupying forces. He formed an army in Arum, known as ‘De Arumer Swarte Heap’ (The Arumer Black Heap), and went to battle against the Hollanders. As pirates, the mercenaries attacked ships from Holland and looted cities, earning Pier the nickname ‘It krûs fan de Hollanner’ (The Cross of the Hollanders).
Many legends surround Grutte Pier. It was said that he had superhuman strength and wielded an enormous sword. One tale suggests that to test if the crew of ships on the Zuiderzee were genuine Frisians, they would have to repeat a phrase: “Bûter, brea en griene tsiis, wa’t dat net sizze kin, is gjin oprjochte Fries” (Butter, rye bread and green cheese, whoever cannot say that is no genuine Frisian). Those who couldn’t pronounce it correctly would be beheaded or thrown overboard. In 1518, Pier grew disillusioned and retired from battle. When asked where he wished to go just before his death, he supposedly replied: “Nae myn Heer ta” (To my Lord).
In Pierius Magnus (Latin for Big Pier), the hero is introduced at the beginning with a capricious theme, followed by ‘De Arumer Swarte Heap’, representing his army going to battle against the Hollanders. Before the battle begins, there is a moment of calm: ‘It Fryske lân fol eare en rom’ (The Frisian land of honour and glory). Then, Pier and his infamous army spring into action in ‘It krús fan de Hollanner’ (The Cross of the Hollanders). The piece concludes with the retreat of a disillusioned Grutte Pier, heading towards his final resting place, ‘Nae myn Heer ta’.
Was Pier a freedom fighter or a barbarian? While the historical details cannot be fully verified, the composer found the story so compelling that it served as the inspiration for Pierius Magnus.
| Composer: | Jan de Haan |
| Instrumentation: | Concert band |
| Genre: | Concertwork |
| Level: | 4 |
| Duration: | 9:10 |
| Download score: | |
| Publisher: | De Haske Order this work |
