The renowned Dutch organist Jan Hage, a passionate advocate and much sought-after performer of contemporary organ music, is this morning’s guest, taking on the unique Fokker organ. As a soloist he has performed with, among others, Slagwerk Den Haag, Asko|Schönberg and the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1995 he was appointed organist of the Kloosterkerk in The Hague, and in 2011 of the Domkerk in Utrecht. It is now Jan Hage’s task to master all 31 keys within the octave of the Fokker organ. And that is quite a challenge, especially for an organist who cannot take his seat at the black, white and blue keys every month. Yet this challenge is in excellent hands with Jan Hage. His virtuosity and interpretations were already being praised before he obtained his organ diplomas with distinction on three occasions and won several competitions. In 2006 he was even awarded the médaille d’argent by the Société Académique Arts-Sciences-Lettres in Paris for his contributions to French organ culture.
Moreover, some years ago Jan Hage wrote an article about the Fokker organ for the journal Het Orgel, through which he acquired a great deal of theoretical knowledge about this unique instrument. The programme includes works by the famous composers Sweelinck and Frescobaldi, composed at a time when meantone tuning (in which the semitones are unequally spaced) was common throughout Europe. In addition, atmospheric organ compositions by the French composers Louis Vierne and Jehan Alain from the first half of the last century will be heard. Alongside excerpts from the imposing composition Rrrrrrr for organ by the Argentinian-German composer Mauricio Kagel, well-established works from the 31-tone organ repertoire by Henk Badings and Anton de Beer will also be performed. And, as the grand finale, two improvisations by Jan Hage. In short, a fascinating concert not to be missed.