The title Crescendo! refers to the musical term describing a gradual increase in volume and intensity and is also used metaphorically to signify prosperity and growth. For Baas, it reflects the delicate balance between the intangible, magical qualities of art and the practical constraints faced by its creators—a metaphor for human dreams often tempered by reality.
In Crescendo!, Maarten Baas delves into this interplay, with musical instruments symbolizing freedom and beauty. “Musical instruments fascinate me for their inherent poetry—they can create something entirely intangible yet deeply moving: music. At the same time, we live in a world driven by economic value and practicality. This mirrors the daily balance we all navigate, where reality is often less romantic than we envision,” Baas explains.