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For those looking to purchase the score, Harmony of the Spheres is published by Donemus (the Dutch Music Institute). If you are searching for a "new" score, ensure you are looking for the definitive edition which includes the full orchestral and choral parts.
Tips for the Conductor:
The authoritative score is published by Donemus (Netherlands), and its layout reflects the music’s philosophy: wide margins, minimal editorial clutter, and a clean, sans-serif font. A typical page holds only three or four systems, each bar expanding horizontally to match the music’s elongated sense of time. An appendix explains the microtonal notation and the conductor’s cues for the aleatoric sections.
The new edition of Joep Franssens’ Harmony of the Spheres is available exclusively from:
A sample PDF of the first 10 pages (Movement I, opening) is available for review on the Donemus website, allowing conductors to compare the proportional notation with the old edition.
Why is there renewed interest in the Harmony of the Spheres score today?
The answer lies in the emotional utility of the music. In a fast-paced, fragmented world, musicians are gravitating toward works that offer a sense of sanctuary. Franssens’ music does not shout; it envelops. It provides a sonic space for contemplation.
For choirs looking to program a major 20th/21st-century work, it offers a perfect challenge. It requires the intonation precision of a Renaissance madrigal but the stamina of a Romantic symphony.
Franssens calls for an SSAAATTBB divisi (10 parts minimum, but 16 preferred). The new score clarifies that the choir should stand behind the strings, not in front. This creates a "halo" effect where the instrumental tuning (A=440) emanates through the voices, simulating the Pythagorean spheres.
You might find a used copy on AbeBooks or eBay for $60. Don't do it. Here is why the "new" keyword matters legally and practically:
Because Harmony of the Spheres requires a hefty number of vocal scores (minimum 24 copies for a balanced performance), buying 24 new scores is expensive (approx $2,000+). Many professional choirs opt for a Rental.
Donemus offers a rental package:
Rental cost: Approximately €250 for a 3-month period. You return the scores after the concert. This is the most economical way to get a "new" set that hasn't been marked up by previous conductors.
