The famous physicist Christiaan Huygens was inspired when, in 1691, he devised the 31-tone tuning system and published his ideas under the title Lettre touchant le cycle harmonique. But what exactly did one of the Netherlands’ greatest thinkers intend with this system? And what influence might it have had on the future of music if his invention had gained wider recognition?
During this concert, music from both Huygens’ own time and from the centuries that followed will be performed on the Fokker organ, in both meantone tuning and 31-tone tuning. Several works from the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic periods will be played in meantone tuning, focusing on modulation to keys that were previously impossible. In addition, a new work by the young composer and trombonist Iris Tjoonk will be performed.
The Fokker organ will be played by the young and talented organist Maarten Havinga, who in recent years has revealed his affinity for new sounds and fresh microtones. With his dedication and imagination, he will guide listeners on an exploration of how music over the past centuries might have sounded.