Matthias van Nispen tot Pannerden

We People

Wubbo Ockels (1946-2014) was a Dutch physicist and astronaut. In 1985, he was the first Dutchman to fly through space in the Space Shuttle 'Challenger'. As an astronaut he had become extremely aware of the vulnerability of the earth and therefore committed himself to sustainability in all its facets to protect and preserve that earth for later generations. The day before his death, he delivered an impressive speech from his deathbed to emphasize the need to take better care of our planet. Commissioned by the 'Orchestra of the Royal Netherlands Air Force', the Dutch composer Matthias van Nispen tot Pannerden wrote 'We People' for woodwinds and piano in 2016, as 'underscore' under these inspiring words of the first Dutch astronaut.