Kaleidoscopic tribute to Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck (1562-1621)
A major figure in the history of the keyboard, like Bach and Chopin, the organist of the Oude Kerk in Amsterdam was nicknamed The Phoenix of Music or The Prince of Musicians. Known for his improvisational skills and expertise in instrument making, he trained a whole generation of Northern European musicians whom he welcomed into his home. He left a considerable body of vocal and keyboard music that can be found in England, Central Europe and Northern Italy during his lifetime.
Familiar with Sweelinck's works for many years, Léon Berben (Complete works in 6 CDs Aoelus 2015, diapason d'or) and Jean-Luc Ho (Live recording 2012 label Cordes&Ames) wish to illustrate the different facets of this genius with 4 musical dialogues, during a day or an evening of festival. Polyphonies of emblematic performers and keyboards, atmospheres and acoustics (church, chapel, sacristy, cloister...) will paint a constantly renewed portrait of Sweelinck.
Complete discography planned from 2022 to 2027.
Sample programme:
Ballo del granduca Erbarm dich mein, o Herre Gott Fantasia in d Toccata in a More Palatino Echo Fantasia in d Hexachord Fantasia Mein Junges Leben hat ein End’ Fantasia Chromatica
Guest of the Rendez-vous de Rochebonne in the Beaujolais region, Jean-Luc Ho will give a clavichord recital in the beautiful setting of the château's Salle des peintures this Saturday, September 14th at 2.30pm.
The clavichord was the preferred keyboard of 18th-century German composers because of its expressiveness, but today it is unjustly ignored by the general public. This concert will bring new life to major works by Bach and his sons.
