Newsletter

Recently our new Thirty-One was published, a journal with lots of information and scientific content. In it there is also a news item under the name micro-actualities. Next to this news will be send along with the concert anouncements. Together this will form the newsletter. Once a year a special newsletter will appear at the end of the season. All the news in the past will have a place on this webpage.

Latest newsletter

Micro-actualities
 
The year 2009 is a special year for the Huygens-Fokker Foundation. The renovation of the
Fokker organ has recently been successfully completed by organ builders Pels & Van Leeuwen.
Our unique 31-tone instrument has now a permanent place in the BAM Zaal of the
Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ in Amsterdam, making the return of the Fokker organ to the music
world a fact. This memorable event was celebrated with an inaugural concert on May 17th
2009. A cross section of the concert offerings for the season 2009-2010 was performed,
including highlights of the repertoire of the Fokker-organ by our own organist Joop van
Goozen, improvisations by Guus Janssen, old music from baroque ensemble La Barca Leyden
and a new composition by Danny de Graan, in which the newest technical possibilities of the
Fokker organ, recently equipped with MIDI-In and MIDI-Out, could be heard.

Another important fact is that the new Huygens-Fokker website was launched on the internet
at the beginning of 2009. Our old website was admittedly very extensive but insufficiently
inviting to the reader, so it needed a replacement. The website of the Huygens-Fokker
Foundation is now, after a complete renewal, even more informative than before. Since 2008
the Foundation has had a new domain name, namely www.huygens-fokker.org. New also is
the Bohlen-Pierce site; after the foundation received the whole original Bohlen-Pierce
documentation from Heinz Bohlen, we are hosting the new Bohlen-Pierce site on our new
website: http://www.huygens-fokker.org/bpsite/index.html

To spread knowledge about microtonality, the Huygens-Fokker Foundation has, in its capacity
as a centre for microtonal music, formulated several educational activities over the course of the
past year, including study programs, workshops, lectures and educational projects for several
age-groups. Also there is, after some time, a new publication of Thirty-One, our journal on
microtonality, of which this, under editorial supervision of Bob Gilmore, is the first result.

Sander Germanus
director, Huygens-Fokker Foundation


 Photo: Maarten Klijn          

Overview performed concerts (since 2009)

November 27, 2022 | Featuring the Quarter- tone Extended Clarinet |

The American virtuoso and energetic clarinetist Gregory Oakes presents his new 'quarter-toneextended clarinet', which was recently made especially for him. The polymicrotonal sounds that will arise between his quarter-tone clarinet and the fifth tones of the Fokker organ form the basis of this extraordinary concert. Together with Fokker organist Ere Lievonen and composer/flutist Ned McGowan, he plays a thunderous program that does not shy away from experimenting. The program includes works by Ned McGowan, Christopher Hopkins, Alan Theisen and Miika Hyytiäinen. Read more here.

 

May 30, 2021 - 11.00 h. | jazz trio Dsilton | Georg Vogel, organ

After the very successful performance of microtonal jazz improviser Georg Vogelduring MicroFest Amsterdam 2019 in the Muziekgebouw, he is back this year with the Austrian musicians David Dornig and Valentin Duit, with whom he has formed the dizzying jazz trio Dsilton for years. Vogel will play the Fokker organ through his M-Claviton. The Viennese trio performs works which combine jazz, progressive rock elements, traditional Alpine music, polyphony and serial 31-tone compositions. Tickets can be ordered online (or by phone). Read more here.

 

 

March 13, 2022 - 13.30 h. | Small Hall | The microtones of Anatolia

In many styles of music, such as traditional Turkish music, a form of microtonality is a matterof course. This fits perfectly with the Fokker organ on which microtones can be played. Together with the now internationally known Turkish guitarist Tolgahan Çoğulu, who developed an acoustic microtonal guitar, Fokker organist Ere Lievonen explores the world of traditional and modern Turkish music. Lievonen and Çoğulu perform folk music and new works by Cengiz Arslanpay and Ardashes Agoshian, among others. Read more here.

 

 

March 13, 2022 - 11.00 h.| Small Hall | HyperTheremin meets HyperOrgan

The Fokker organ controlled by computers is familiar territory. But the fact that the instrumentcomes to life through a pair of floating hands is new. Composer Jan Bas Bollen takes electronic music combined with visuals to a new level with his HyperTheremin. Like a conductor he allows the music of the organ to coincide with his own sound worlds and images. As if the grand organ has suddenly become a kind of Theremin. That offers freedom and unprecedented possibilities. In this way, Bollen gives you a hallucinatory ear wash. More here.

 

 

October 23, 2021 - 11.00 h. | Small Hall | Sweelinck, Bach and Beyond

Organist Laurens de Man (1993) takes the listener on a 45-minute journey. From Sweelinck to Bach via the teacher-pupil line and further back in time to Vicentino, the founder of the 31-tone system. De Man then makes a trip to a number of 20th century Dutch composers who have exploited the specific possibilities of the organ. Finally, we follow the route from Sweelinck to Bach back in reverse order.
Tickets can be ordered online (or by phone). This concert is part of the Sweelinck Festival in Amsterdam, which will take place in honor of the great Dutch composer Sweelinck. Read more.

 

 

September 26, 2021 - 20.00 h. | Small Hall | Fokker organ revisited!

Jacob Lekkerkerker returns after four years to the Kleine Zaal of Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ to perform on the Fokker organ. This time he takes viola player Oene van Geel with him. The highlight of the concert is the premiere of Lekkerkerker's composition with five hundred years of sound history of organs and bells in Amsterdam. The program also includes music by Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck, Hans Eugen Frischknecht from the repertoire of the Fokker organ and an improvisation by Lekkerkerker and Van Geel on Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings. More here.

 

 

 

ONLINE! | 11 July 2021, 11.00 h. | Laboratonium 4

The fourth edition of the Laboratonium will also be dominated by the experiment with (micro)tones. For example, new works by various young and arrived composers, with the Fokker organ being controlled by a computer, are on the program. With works for the Fokker organ of Guus Janssen, Boris Bezemer, Bart van Dongen and René Uijlenhoet.
with Ere Lievonen, Fokker organ
Read more.

 

 

June 27, 2021 - 11.00 h. | Small Hall | Romanticism in meantone temperament

First organist of the Fokker organ (and rock in the microtonal surf) Ere Lievonen presents this morning the musical result of a multi-year research project of the Huygens-Fokker Foundation to perform romantic organ repertoire in meantone tuning, with the possibility to modulate through all the keys. All-rounder Ere Lievonen has the noble task to perform these special findings. The program includes works by famous nineteenth-century composers such as Anton Bruckner and César Franck.
Ere Lievonen, Fokker organ
Read here.

 

December 12, 2021, 11.00 h. | Small Hall | Trio SCALA in the spotlight

Especially for this concert, the 'hard core' of Ensemble SCALA will be highlighted, namely the trio of microtonal instruments, consisting of 31-tone guitar, 96-tone piano and 31-tone organ. Guitarist Stefan Gerritsen, pianist Anne Veinberg and organist Ere Lievonen perform trios, duos and solo works and give the audience a great opportunity to get to know these striking instruments better. The program includes works by Joachim F.W. Schneider and Juan Felipe Waller.
Stefan Gerritsen, 31-tone guitar / Anne Veinberg, Carrillo piano / Ere Lievonen, Fokker organ
Read more.

 

 

Januari 17, 2021 - 11.00 h. | Small Hall | The contemporaries of Badings

Award-winning organ player Laurens de Man is back in the Small Hall of the Muziekgebouw as thesecond organist of the Fokker organ. This time the contemporaries of Henk Badings are central. In addition to a work for the 31-tone organ by Badings himself, a composer who composed a relatively large number of works in 31-tone temperament, the program includes organ and piano works by several Dutch composers, which are all performed in meantone temperament. This fact alone makes the concert special. Tickets can be ordered online (or by phone). Read more here.

 

 

December 13, 2020 - 11.00 h. | Small Hall | Tribute to Lemkes & Vos

Joseph Puglia and Emmy Storms, two top violinists, give a historical concert with work forviolin duo and accompaniment, composed in the meantone tuning and the 31-tone tuning. With this they apply a tribute to the famous Dutch violin duo Bouw Lemkes (1924-2016) and Jeanne Vos († 2000). Yet there are not only violin duos on the program. At the request of Joseph Puglia a reprise of the monumental 'Synaesthesia Suite' by Kate Moore, which was specially composed for him in 2014, will sound too.You can order online tickets at the Muziekgebouw. Read more here.

 

 

October 4, 2020 - 11.00 h. | Small Hall | Anne Veinberg in the lead

Anne Veinberg is known in the concerthall Muziekgebouw as the pianist of Ensemble SCALA.To open the 2020-2021 season, Veinberg will give a concert on the Fokker organ, the Carrillo pianoand a conventional grand piano. She will also make music with the Mexican composer / laptop artist Felipe Ignacio Noriega. The program includes works by Felipe Ignacio Noriega, Christopher Trapani, improvisations by Anne Veinberg herself and much more. An experience not to be missed! You can order online tickets at the Muziekgebouw. Read more here.

 

 

March 1, 2020 - 11.00 h. | Small Hall | Ensemble SCALA | The Americans

Microtonal music has been in the spotlight on the other side of the Atlantic for quite some time. Thiscan be deduced from the many initiatives that are being developed there in this musical field. However, the preferences for microtonal systems may differ per region. For this reason Ensemble SCALA plays a program with a cross section of the various microtonal music styles that can be found on the American continent. You can order tickets at the boxoffice of the Muziekgebouw. Read more about the concert here.



Sept. 19, 2020 - 11.00 | Laurens de Man, organ| Consonanze Stravaganti

Under the title 'Conzonanze Stravaganti', the young and talented organist Laurens de Man willgive a special organ concert. For his first acquaintance as organist with the 31-tone organ, he selected works from different style periods, with composers on the program who, as he described it, 'looked up the sharp edges of the meantone tuning'. A great challenge for a musician who is already very experienced at a young age. You can order tickets at the boxoffice of the Muziekgebouw. Read more here.

 

 

 



MicroFest Amsterdam 2019

A one day festival for microtonal music on Sunday December 1, 2019. A sociable musical day for all people who love divergent tunings and microtonality. Single concerts are 13,50 euros, a passe-partout for the entire festival costs only 33 euros. Don't miss this great event in the Muziekgebouw in Amsterdam! Read more here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 29, 2019 - 11.00 | Small Hall | Carte Blanche for Ere Lievonen

It is exactly 10 years ago that organist Ere Lievonen (1972) gave his first concert on therenewed Fokker organ. Since 2009 he has been the permanent organist of this special 31-tone organ that is located in the Small Hall (Kleine Zaal) of the Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ. It is high time to put him in the spotlight with a carte blanche concert. The program includes works by Bernardo Storace, Juhani Nuorvala, Pier Damiano Peretti and compositions by Ere Lievonen himself, which are performed by him and several guest musicians on recorder. You can order tickets at the boxoffice of the Muziekgebouw. Read more here.

 



Sunday 26 May 2019, 11.00 h. | Small Hall | The Divine Routine| Andriessen Festival

In the oeuvre of Louis Andriessen the organ does not take a prominent place: only one organ work is to his name. He composed 'De goddelijke routine' (The divine routine) - a typical Andriessen title - for the 125th birthday of his father, composer Hendrik Andriessen, in 2017. Ere Lievonen plays a special program on organ and harpsichord with works by both father and son Andriessen, supplemented with music by Andriessens former students Martijn Padding and Calliope Tsoupaki. Read more.




May 12, 2019, 11.00 | Small Hall |The Theremin Stories | Carolina Eyck

Carolina Eyck, one of the best interpreters of the theremin in the world, isthe special guest musician during a concert in which this mysterious instrument is at the center. In 2019 it is exactly hundred years ago that the theremin was invented by Léon Theremin, an electronic musical instrument at which the player does not touch the instrument. With 'The Theremin Stories', Carolina Eyck (1987) will give an overview of how the theremin has sounded during the past hundred years. She is accompanied by organist Ere Lievonen (on the 31-tone organ) and composer/performer Wouter Snoei. Tickets at the Muziekgebouw. Read more.

 

April 14, 2019, 11.00 | Small Hall | Jan Hage tames the 31-tone organ 

The special guest musician of this morning concertis the well-known Dutch organist Jan Hage, who is a well-respected interpreter of contemporary organ music. In 1995 he was appointed as organist of the Kloosterkerk in The Hague and in 2011 of the Domkerk in Utrecht. Jan Hage now has the task of controlling all black, white and blue keys of the Fokker organ. The program will feature works from the repertoire of this organ, compositions from the first half of the last century, old music and two improvisations by Jan Hage. In short, a fascinating concert that you should not miss. Tickets at the Muziekgebouw. Read more about the concert. 



Sunday March 3, 2019, 11.00 | Small Hall | Microfobia | Ensemble SCALA

Who is afraid of small intervals? With this new program Ensemble SCALA sets the (micro)tone byperforming compositions that are all based on a different division of the octave. In this way, one can listen to quarter-tones of the 24-tone system, third-tones of the 19-tone system and pure tones of the harmonics, next to the fifth-tones of the 31-tone system. On the program new work by Sebastian Dumitrescu, an improvisation in 'just intonation' by Melle Weijters and a classic piece of the eighties by Ezra Sims. In short, a concert full of microtones! Tickets can be ordered at the box office of the Muziekgebouw. Read more here.


Sunday Jan. 13, 2019, 11.00 | Small Hall |Renaissance & the 21st century

Vokalprojekt 31, accompanied by Ere Lievonen on the 31-tone organ, is a pioneering ensemble offive vocalists, performing 31-tone music from the Renaissance, early Baroque and the current century. This season, Vokalprojekt 31 guarantees again the performance of quirky works from the meantone music era and the 21st century. The four 31-tone madrigals of 1555 by the Italian composer Nicola Vicentino and some madrigals by Carlo Gesualdo should not be missed. Contemporary music by Andreas Arend and Miranda Driessen will be performed too. Tickets at the Muziekgebouw. Read more about the concert.

 


Sunday Nov. 11, 2018, 11.00 h. | The Euler organ of Fokker | Small Hall

The fact that Professor Adriaan Fokker had the 31-tone organ built in 1950 is known. But in 1943,as curator of the Teylers Museum, he also took the initiative to have the so-called Euler organ built. Only a few know this, partly because this little organ has been unplayable for a long time. A wonderful opportunity to examine how the Euler organ once sounded, 75 years after the completion of the instrument! With historical compositions by Jan van Dijk, Henri Carf (Henk van Kempen) and Martin J. Lürsen. And a brand new work by the Dutch composer Gijsbrecht Roijé. Tickets can be ordered at the box office of the Muziekgebouw. Read more here.

 

 

Sunday September 30, 2018, 11.00 | Dans, Dans, Dans! | Small Hall |

The new season of Fokker organ concerts will kick off with a program that focuses on dance. Threedancers will perform choreographies and dance improvisations on music played by Ere Lievonen on the 31-tone organ. For this occasion the glass wall of the Small Hall opens up, so the dancers are free to move both inside and outside the hall. The works that are on the program connect in a special way to the theme of 'dance', because the composers were all working at a dance academy as a musical accompanist: Martijn Padding, Christina Oorebeek, Martin Lo-A-Njoe and John Cage. Tickets at the box office of the Muziekgebouw. Read more.

 


Sunday February 25, 2018, 11.00 h. | Fokker organ XL! | Small Hall

This season the Huygens-Fokker Foundation is again organizing a concert full of new compositions and experiments for 31-tone organ, 96-tone piano, laptop & electronics. The program includes a new work by composer Ned McGowan, in which the music is based on an out of tune street organ from Mexico. Hans Leeuw plays the electrumpet, Melle Weijters improvises on impressive chords from Adriaan Fokker and duo Off<>zz play a new impro-composition. And also the premiere of a piece by the South African composer Michael Blake, in which drum sounds come from the Fokker organ. And much more! Tickets at the box office of the Muziekgebouw. Read more here.

 

Sunday April 8, 2018, 11.00 h. | Ligeti Festival | Small Hall

Especially for this concert Ere Lievonen, the main player of the Fokker organ, arranged piano and harpsichord works by György Ligeti for the unique 31-tone organ. In addition, the program pays attention to the composer Conlon Nancarrow, who was admired by Ligeti, with his 'Study No. 21' for pianola, which is an unplayable piece for human hands. Also on the program some intriguing works by Mauricio Kagel, Kevin Volans and Hans Otte.Tickets at the box office of the Muziekgebouw. Read more here.

 

 

 

Sunday March 25, 2018, 11.00 h. | On adventure with Moosbrugger | Small Hall

The Austrian musician Alexander Moosbrugger is besides organist, harpsichordist and programmer, also a composer, in which he dares to combine new and old music in his work. His interest in 'hearing' as a compositional starting point has moved him to a study philosophy in Vienna. Moosbrugger will take you on a listening adventure this morning. As a guest player on the Fokker organ he is accompanied musically by flutist/composer Ned McGowan on the contrabass flute. You can order tickets at the box office of the Muziekgebouw. Read more.

 

 

Sunday February 25, 2018, 11.00 h. | Fokker organ XL! | Small Hall

Julián Carrillo and Adriaan Fokker have both dedicated their lives to microtones, but they each ended up on a different tone system. These two different systems are incompatible on paper but the instruments that have been built for these tunings turn out to sound well together in practice. Harpist Ernestine Stoop will be a guest player with her rare Carrillo harp. New works and existing compositions from the repertoire of these special microtonal instruments will be performed, including of course works by both Adriaan Fokker and Julián Carrillo. Tickets at the box office of the Muziekgebouw. Read more here.


 

Sunday January 14, 2018, 11.00 h. | The Art of 'Nauwluisterendheid' | Small Hall

The title of this concert is partly derived from Stichting Nauwluisterendheid ('Narrow Listeningness' Foundation), founded in 1960 by Professor Adriaan Fokker, which in 1967 changed its name permanently to Huygens-Fokker Foundation. With the odd term 'nauwluisterendheid', Fokker was referring to the small intervals of the 31-tone system, but also to the ability of the audience to listen very carefully to the microtones of this tuning. To Ensemble SCALA the task to perform music with these sounds, so the audience can master the art of 'narrow listening'. You can order tickets at the box office of the Muziekgebouw. Read more.

 

 

Sunday November 16, 2017, 11.00 | MICRO|IMPRO   |  Small Hall

Guitarists Bram Stadhouders and Melle Weijters will perform on the 31-tone organ via their guitars and laptops. Stadhouders, known in the Netherlands for his distinctive guitar playing, will mainly focus on his characteristic enervating improvisations. Weijters, who is an initiate in microtonal music with a special interest in fretless and microtonal guitars, will focus on new microtonal applications in jazz and blues. The differences in approach between the two gentlemen will also be presented in a impro-battle.You can order t ickets at the box office of the Muziekgebouw. More here.

 

 

Sunday October 1, 2017, 11.00 h. | Fokker organ XL! | Small Hall

Especially for this concert, the unique acoustic Fokker organ is expanded with digital stops. A variety of realistic organ sounds (tuned in the 31-tone system) are added to some late-romantic works that require more organ stops than the Fokker organ has. Because of this digital expansion, organ works from the 19th and 20th century can be performed perfectly in meantone temperament, for the first time in music history. Fokker organist Ere Lievonen will be accompanied by Maarten Havinga. Tickets at the box office of the Muziekgebouw. Read more here.

 

 

Sunday May 21, 2017, 11.00 hours | Laboratonium 2 | Small Hall

An exciting concert with new works for 31-tone organ, laptop and electronics. The latest electronic possibilities are used to carry out musical experiments with the Fokker organ and the Carrillo-piano. On the program a new composition for 31-tone organ by Charles Corey, who is the curator of Harry Partch instruments in Seattle. Besides that, a work for Carrillo-piano solo by Bruce Mather from Montréal, a new composition for both instruments by Sander Germanus and Equilibrium by Danny de Graan will be performed. You can order tickets at the box office of the Muziekgebouw. Read more here.

 

 

Sunday April 23, 2017, 11.00 hours | Dazzling vocal sounds | Small Hall

This morning concert will be marked by a groundbreaking 31-tone project called Vokalprojekt 31, an ensemble of four vocalists, which brings 31-tone music of the Renaissance and the present time and will be accompanied by the unique Fokker organ, played by our organ player Ere Lievonen. Together they will perform music in the meantone tuning and the 31-tone temperament from the Renaissance/early Baroque and the present day in a fascinating way. On the program the premiere of a new work by Fabio Costa and Andreas Arend. Order tickets at the box office of the Muziekgebouw. Read about the concert here.

 

March 12, 2017, 11 h.| Lekkerkerker touches the Fokker organ | Small Hall

The organist of the Old Church in Amsterdam, Jacob Lekkerkerker, is known for his imaginative improvisations and distinctive world of sound through the use of electronics, turntables and DJ equipment. Improvisation with classical organ sounds, soundscapes and electronic music merge into one another. He will be musically supported by Alfredo Genovesi, who will take care of the electronics. A special experience in which Jacob Lekkerkerker certainly will touch the Fokker organ as well as the audience. You can order tickets at the box office of the Muziekgebouw. Read more here.

 

January 15, 2017, 11.00 | Ensemble SCALA | Blast from the past | Small Hall

Under the title 'Blast from the past' Ensemble SCALA performes several compositions from its short history. There will be musical highlights from the repertoire, all specifically written for the ensemble, which includes Na by Gijsbrecht Roijé, 3 pezzi molto simili by Lucio Garau, Gallium by Sander Germanus, In the Blink of an Eye by Danny de Graan and Unruh by Joachim Schneider. A glorious overview concert with a focus on the past six eventful years of Ensemble SCALA. Order tickets at the box office of the Muziekgebouw. Read  more here.

 

 

Sunday December 4, 2016, 11.00 |
Small Hall | From here to Tokyo |

Among the many special Japanese instruments there is the beautiful shakuhachi flute. A major Dutch virtuoso on this instrument is the famous flutist Harrie Starreveld. Ere Lievonen, organist of the Fokker organ, will accompany Starreveld. During this concert works of composers based here in the Netherlands and in Tokyo (Japan) will be performed. Sonorous instruments in a colorful concert it is! You can order tickets at the box office of the Muziekgebouw. Read more about this concert.

 

 

Sunday October 2, 2016, 11.00 |
Small Hall | In the spirit of Huygens

The famous physicist Christiaan Huygens invented the 31-tone tuning in 1691 and published about it in his 'Lettre touchant le cycle harmonique'. But what was the purpose of his invention? And what impact could this have on the future of music as his invention would have been spread more widely?
The Fokker organ will be played by the young and talented organist Martin Havinga, who will take the listener on a search for music which in theory might have sounded during the past centuries. Tickets can be ordered at the box office of the Muziekgebouw. Read more about this concert.

 

 

Sunday May 22, 2016, 11.00 |
Small Hall | Pimp My Organ 4Ever!

For the fourth time the Huygens-Fokker Foundation organizes together with the Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ the concert Pimp My Organ! The computerized Fokker organ will again be expanded, revamped and pimped-up! - Ere Lievonen on the 31-tone Fokker organ, Anne Veinberg on 96-tone Carillo piano, Melle Weijters on the guitar controlling the 31-tone organ. A exciting program with premieres of Juan Felipe Waller, Brechtje van Dijk, Felipe Ignacio Noriega and Nicolà Visalì and an arrangement for Fokker organ of a piece of Ben Wallet. You can order tickets at the box office of the Muziekgebouw. Read more about this concert.

 

Sunday April 24, 2016, 11.00 hours | 4 feet, 4 hands | Susanne Kujala

After the successful four-handed concert in 2014, organist Ere Lievonen will be re-joined by Susanne Kujala, a German organist specialised in contemporary organ music. They will perform new works written for them by Christina Oorebeek and Lauri Supponen, and two older works for four feet and hands on the Fokker organ by Joachim Schneider and Sebastian Dumitrescu. Susanne Kujala will also perform a new solo piece by the Hannu Pohjannoro. A colorful program in which the Fokker organ will be played by 4 hands the second time this century! Tickets can be ordered at the box office of the Muziekgebouw. Read more about this concert.


 

March 20 , 2016, 11.00 hours | The word speaks

How does the word relate to music? In this case, the word is not referring to singing but to the spoken word, by means of poetry. Can they complement each other? Can they sound at the same time or should they alternate? An interesting research on how these two art forms can influence each other. With Rozalie Hirs, Samuel Vriezen, Lieke Marsman, Han van der Vegt and Maria van Daalen. Ere Lievonen on the Fokker organ and the collaboration of composer Danny de Graan. You can order tickets at the box office of the Muziekgebouw. Read more about this concert.

 

 

February 7 , 2016, 11.00 hours | Johannes Keller, 31-tone organ

Johannes Keller is a harpsichordist and specialist in rare meantone music with more than the usual 12 tones per octave. He will give a unique concert where he will play the 31-tone organ as well as his own 'chromatic-enharmonic' harpsichord. The program includes several composers such as Georg Muffat, Ascanio Mayone and Nicola Vicentino, who took effort in the 16th and 17th century in extending the meantone temperament in order to be able to modulate into remote keys which were out of reach in the common tuning. In several works Johannes Keller will be accompanied by violinist Eva Saladin. Tickets can be ordered at the box office of the Muziekgebouw. Read more about this concert here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

MicroFest Amsterdam 2015

A one day festival for microtonal music on Sunday the 29th of November, 2015. A sociable musical day for all people who love divergent tunings and microtonality. Single concerts are 12,50 euros, a passe-partout for the entire festival costs only 30 euros. Don't miss this great event! Read more here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday November 29, 2015, 11.00 hours | SCALA's Spectrum | SCALA

During the opening concert of MicroFest Amsterdam 2015, a one-day festival for microtonal music, Ensemble SCALA kicks off with a program full of premieres. New works by Danny de Graan, Eric Verbugt and the German composer Joachim Schneider will frame a few short compositions. Also on the program is a reprise of Scala I by Peter Adriaansz. The wide sound spectrum of Ensemble SCALA, with the Fokker organ as a part of them, will be illuminated during the entire concert in all its diversity. Tickets can be ordered at the box office of the Muziekgebouw. Read more about this concert.

 

 

Sunday 13 Sept, 2015, 11.00 hours | Meet the Fokker organ | Lievonen

On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Muziekgebouw, varied and surprising music will be performed on the 31-tone organ, also known as the Fokker organ. From early music to contemporary music, this concert covers it all, culminating with a new impro-composition of the Dutch composer Guus Janssen. Obviously, a clear example of 31-tone music will not lack on the program. Tickets can be ordered at the box office of the Muziekgebouw. Read more about this concert.

 

 

Sunday April 26, 2015, 11.00 hours | Hilbert's Hotel | Honing & Lievonen

This morning the special and long-awaited premiere of Hilbert's Hotel of the Dutch composer Rozalie Hirs will take place; a spectral work in which the 31-tone organ is controlled by laptop. Guest musician Raymond Honing (flute) and Fokker organ player Ere Lievonen will perform work from Ch. Delusse and Henri Carf. Additional, Ere Lievonen will play new pieces by Charles van Hemelryck, Leo de Vries and Miranda Driessen. Tickets can be ordered at the Muziekgebouw. Read more about this concert.

 

 

Sunday April 12, 2015, 13.30 | WMMF | 'Solar Neon' | Ensemble SCALA

In the Muziekgebouw a concert with (post)minimal movements and galactic overtone sounds will take place. With a panoramic view over the wide IJ-river, you can enjoy the microtones of Ensemble SCALA and the Fokker organ. A highlight of this concert is the performance of Aleph 2 of the famous minimal composer Terry Riley. Spectral sounds, tone fluctuations, harmony and clusters with a continuous rhythm alternate in this concert, performed by Ensemble SCALA, specialized in microtonal music. Order tickets at the Muziekgebouw. Read more about this concert.

 

 

Sunday March 1, 2015 - 11.00 hours| The day of the ingenious organ

'The day of the ingenious organ' is a collaboration of the Huygens-Fokker Foundation, the Muziekgebouw and the Orgelpark, wherein the computer-controlled organ is put in the spotlight. There will be a concert in the morning and in the afternoon, respectively in the Small Hall of the Muziekgebouw (11.00 hours) and at the Orgelpark (14.15 hours). Especially for this day Masato Suzuki will return to the unique Fokker organ as a guest performer. Besides J.S. Bach in meantone tuning, he will perform a new work of Rose Dodd. You can order tickets at the Muziekgebouw. Read more about the concert.

 

 

Sunday Jan. 18, 2015 - 11.00 hours | Anniversary:  65 years Fokker organ

In 2015 it will be 65 years since the Fokker organ was built by organ builder Pels, after which it was placed in the Teylers Museum in Haarlem. In 2009, this unique instrument came to be at the current spot in the Muziekgebouw. Time to celebrate this fact with a cross section of the rich and distinctive repertoire of the 31-tone organ of Adriaan Fokker. The program include early music by Michelangelo Rossi and contemporary works by composers such as Danny de Graan, Peter Schat and Sebastian Dumitrescu. In short, an anniversary concert with a festive program. Tickets can be ordered at the Muziekgebouw.

 

 

 

Sunday Oct. 16, 2014 - 11.00 | Notes between Keys | Ensemble SCALA |

The notes that are in theory 'between the keys of the piano' can certainly be played on the Fokker-organ and the Carrillo-piano, which counts 96 tones in an octave. During this concert Ensemble SCALA will perform a lot of these notes. For example, the program includes the premiere of a new composition for ensemble of the Italian composer Lucio Garau, the old master Nicola Vicentino and the Québec composer François-Gabriel Madden. Tickets for this concert can be ordered at the Muziekgebouw. Read more.

 

 

Sunday Sept. 28, 2014 - 11.00 hours| Guus Janssen & Melle Weijters |

The point of focus during the concert 'MicroBlues' is improvised music within the meantone, 31 and 41-tone tuning system. Guus Janssen (Fokker-organ) and Melle Weijters (guitar) jointly explore what kind of new opportunities these systems offers for improvised music, especially the blues. The varied styles of improvisation and themes are supported by the use of the latest computer technologies that will lead to a surprising result. Order tickets for this concert at the Muziekgebouw. Read more.

 

 

Sunday May 4, 2014 - 11.00 hours| Duo Hevans & 31-tone organ |

Duo Hevans (Henri Bok & Eleri Ann Evans) consists of an unusual combination of bass clarinet and tenor saxophone. Since its founding in 2005, a lot of new work has been written for this particular duo. Especially for this concert with the 31-tone Fokker organ, René Uijlenhoet, Monty Adkins and Rose Dodd wrote new compositions. Bass clarinetist Henri Bok will perform one of his own works together with the organ. Order tickets for this concert at the Muziekgebouw. Read more about this concert.

 

 

Sunday March 9, 2014 - 11.00 hours| 4 hands, 4 feet  |  Muziekgebouw

In this four-handed concert, the regular Fokker organist Ere Lievonen is joined by Susanne Kujala, a German-Finnish organist specialised in contemporary organ music. Together they will perform new works written for them by Joachim Schneider and Sebastian Dumitrescu (from Germany and Finland, respectively), and two older works for two organists at the Fokker organ, by Daniel Caux and Anton de Beer. In addition, each will also perform on the Fokker organ solo. You can order tickets for this concert at the Muziekgebouw.

 

 

Sunday Jan. 12, 2014 - 11.00 hours | Suzuki performs on the Fokker organ

Masato Suzuki is a gifted Japanese organist and pianist. He specializes in both early and contemporary music and he has performed many concerts all over the world. During this Fokker-organ concert, Masato Suzuki will play early and contemporary music, using the traditional meantone tuning as well as the extended 31-tone tuning which already had been described by the Dutch physicist C. Huygens in 1691. Order tickets for this concert at the Muziekgebouw.

 

Sunday Dec. 8, 2013 - 11.00 | Small Hall | Morning of the Unexpected

Ensemble SCALA will perform remarkable and exciting microtonal works from various style periods in ‘the Morning of the Unexpected’. One quick glance at the set list will reveal a world premiere from Gijsbrecht Roijé, one of the leading pioneers of Dutch microtonality. In this composition he searches for beauty in sound. Also on the program, the second performance of Peter Adriaansz' impressive Scala I. Check here the full program. Tickets for this concert can be ordered at the Muziekgebouw.

 

 

Sunday Oct. 6, 2013 - 11.00 hours | Muziekgebouw | Back to Teylers

In For this concert we go back to where the Fokker-organ originally was installed: the auditory of the Teylers Museum in Haarlem (1950-2000). Over these years, an extensive repertoire emerged. During this concert in the Kleine Zaal, selected highlights will revive the ambience of the old Teylers. Past and present in perfect harmony. Order tickets for this concert at the Muziekgebouw. Ere Lievonen, Fokker-organ.

 

 

Sunday April 21, 2013 - 11.00 hours | Muziekgebouw | The 'Laboratonium'

In our 'Laboratonium', young talented composers will put both the musical and technical possibilities of the Fokker-organ to the test. They search for new sounds in the rich palette of microtones and they combine it with the organ's state-of-the-art computer technology if necessary. Solo works for Ere Lievonen will be juxtaposed with pieces performed by laptops and there will be duets between them, too! Check the program. Tickets for this concert can be ordered at the Muziekgebouw.

 

 

Sunday, March 17, 2013 - 11.00 h. | Small hall, Muziekgebouw| Finlandia

A special concert with two Finnish performers: Mikko Perkola on the viola da gamba and Ere Lievonen on the 31-tone Fokker organ. Together they cause a gentle north wind through the Small Hall of the Muziekgebouw with their unique combination of instruments tuned in meantone. Premieres of among others the versatile Finnish composer Juhani Nuorvala make this concert to a fresh musical event. Gamba Player Perkola and organist Lievonen are both specialists in the field of old and contemporary music, which is reflected in the varied program. Historical works and newly written compositions sound easily after the other. As a counterpart in the program, the Italian composer Lucio Garau (1959) will provide warm-blooded sounds to the concert with his latest work for viola da gamba and Fokker organ.
Tickets can be reserved at the Muziekgebouw.

 

Saturday March 9, 2013 - 14.30 hours | Korzo | Ensemble SCALA | 

This edition of Dag in de Branding (Festival for new music) devotes special attention to the work of composer Peter Adriaansz. Ensemble SCALA (which includes the Fokker-keyboard) provides the first concert of the day and brings his latest work premiered, entitled Scala I. The simple but intriguing and shiny work of Adriaansz is specially composed for the ensemble, tuned in the 31-tone system. Remarkable is its intelligent use of harmonics. Also on the program works by Nicola Vicentino, Ned McGowan and Steffen Krebber. Tickets can be ordered at the Korzo Theatre in The Hague (Prince Street 42).

 

Sunday 10 February 2013, 11.00 hours | Smalll Hall | Contrarian sounds |
Because of the use of 31 tones instead of 12 per octave, the repertoire of the Fokker organ can be considered as contrarian.

To get an idea of all these contrarian sounds, several compositions were selected which illustrate the rich music literature of the Fokker organ. Besides renowned pieces of the old and modern music, like a work of the American-Flemish composer Bert Van Herck, new contrarian compositions of Miranda Driessen and Angus Barnacle will be performed during this concert. Tickets can be ordered by the Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ.

 

 

 

Sunday 30 december 2012, 11.00 hours | Small Hall | Guus Janssen & Friends |

As part of the Triodag (Trio-day) of the Muziekgebouw, Guus Janssen will perform on the Fokker organ. He will be musically accompanied by the well-known improvising musicians Wolter Wierbos (trombone) and Marco Blaauw (trumpet). Improvisations, experiments and jazz classics will have a central place during this concert. All this with some microtonal herbs and spices. In other words, an adventurous concert with three top musicians! Tickets can be reserved at the Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ.

 


Sunday, 2 december 2012, 11.00 h. | Small Hall | 31 Steps to Heaven |

Ensemble SCALA is performing a program with solely microtonal music for the third consecutive year. A highlight of this concert is the premiere of a new work by the quirky Dutch composer Peter Adriaansz. His music can be characterized by slowly evolving soundscapes that take the listener to a higher level of experience. The concert '31 Steps to Heaven' ends with the eponymous work by composer René Samson, a light microtonal work that combines 12- and 31-tone lines which battle with each other. Tickets for the concert can be reserved at the Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ.

 

 

Sunday, 14 October 2012, 11.00 h. | Small hall | The clusters of Schat|

Peter Schat composed his Collages for 31-tone organ in 1962 and made it one of the most outstanding works written for the unique Fokker organ. In the piece, Schat painted a, for his time, progressive palette of timbres. The other works on the program, among others Eugen Frischknecht, Ivan Wyschnegradsky and Jan van Dijk, are composed around the same time as the composition of Schat. Also, there is a composition with clusters of Juan Felipe Waller performed by Ere Lievonen on the Fokker organ and 96-tone Carrillo-piano.   
Tickets can be reserved at the Muziekgebouw.

 

Sunday, 20 May 2012, 11.00 h.| BAM Hall | In Memoriam Henk Badings |

This year the Huygens-Fokker Foundation commemorates the 25th year of death of Henk Badings (1907-1987). His major contribution to the 31-tone repertoire will be honored during this concert. Badings composed works for the Fokker organ, but also for violin duo Bouw Lemkes and Jeanne Vos. A cross section of the best microtonal works by Henk Badings is included in the program. With the cooperation of Ere Lievonen (Fokker organ), Judith van Driel (violin) and Marleen Wester (violin). You can order tickets for this concert at the box office of the Muziekgebouw.

 

 

Sunday, 11 March 2012, 11.00 h. | BAM Hall | The secret of the meantone |

Organist Ere Lievonen unravels the secret of the 'meantone' by performing quirky old and new music. This morning concert provides an answer to the question why the meantone disappeared and how it can be applied again into the modern era. Besides a premiere works of the famous Italian Girolamo Frescobaldi and his contemporaries will be performed in meantone on the unique 31-tone organ. Fir this concert you can order tickets at the Muziekgebouw. Read more here.

 

 

 

 

New! | MicroFest Amsterdam 2011 
A one day festival for microtonal music on Sunday the 11th of December, 2011. A sociable musical day for all people who love different tunings and microtonality. Single concerts are 15 euros, a passe-partout for the entire festival costs only 24 euros. Don't miss this great event! Read more here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday, 13 November 2011, 11.00 h. | BAM HAll | Carrillo versus Fokker |

For the third year in row the Huygens-Fokker Foundation organizes together with the Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ the concert Pimp My Organ! The computerized Fokker organ will again be expanded, revamped and pimped-up! Besides this the 31-tone organ will be played by composer/ performer Warren Burt (who is projected on a wall with a beamer) through the internet from Australia, using the newest digital possibilities. On the programme works composed by Christina Oorebeek and Marc Sabat.
Tickets can be reserved at the Muziekgebouw.

 

 

Sunday, 16 October 2011, 11.00 h. | BAM HAll |
Carrillo versus Fokker |

Concert Premiere! Presentation of the Carrillo-piano.
The 96-toons Carrillo piano and the 31-tone Fokker organ will compete with each other musically and also join forces during this unique concert. Apart from the existing repertoire, this is reflected in new works by the composers Torsten Anders, Martin Lo-A-Njoe and Juan Felipe Waller. The clear conflict between the two instruments will also be translated into an impro-battle, performed by musicians Maarten van Veen and Ere Lievonen. Tickets for the concert can be reserved at the Muziekgebouw. Check sponsors!

 

Sunday, 18 September 2011, 11.00 hours | BAM HAll | El Hotel Eléctrico |

Pianist and master improviser Hugo van Neck accompanies on the Fokker organ a.o. the fascinating film
El Hotel Eléctrico of Segundo de Chomón of 1908, starring the actress Julienne Mathieu and the director himself. Witty, exciting and surreal scenes will be provided with color by improvisations on the 31-tone organ during this performance in the newly renovated BAM Hall. The film will be introduced shortly before the start by movie connoisseur Theodore van Houten. You can order tickets for this concert at the Muziekgebouw.

 

Sunday, 15 May 2011, 11.00 hours |
BAM HAll | The Ariadne-project |

A special crossover concert with music by Claudio Monteverdi and his contemporaries, as well as a work of the young Berlin composer and lutenist Andreas Arend, based on Monteverdi's Lamento d'Arianna solo aria, the only remaining part of his opera L'Arianna which is unfortunately lost. The program includes compositions by Claudio Monteverdi and others. They kept themselves busy with some specific theories of music such as chromaticism, thematic coherence and musical tunings, which then led to new and appealing music. Tickets for this concert can be reserved at the Muziekgebouw.

 

Sunday, 17 April 2011, 11.00 | BAM HAll |
31-tone music above the IJ |

Organ player Ere Lievonen will perform exciting 31-tone music high above the IJ. Besides the fact that brand new works will sound on the Fokker organ (including a composition of Wim de Ruiter and James Hewitt), pieces composed by great masters of early music will be performed in meantone temperament, a tuning on which the Fokker organ is based. In contrast to instruments based on our current tempered 12-tone system, this tuning makes it possible to play perfect thirds, intervals that one must have heard. Tickets for this concert can be reserved at the Muziekgebouw.

 

 

Sunday, 20 March 2011, 11.00 | BAM HAll |
Boem Boe Bali! |

Gamelan is characteristic of the Indonesian classical music. 31-tone music is a typical Dutch invention that has been developed in The Netherlands. The 31-tone tuning of the Fokker-organ has possibilities to play exotic melodies and harmonies, as can be heard in different types of gamelan. It's possible to devide the fifth in three, like in the Balinese scale with 6/5 seconds. These sounds fit well with the pelog and slendro tunings of the metallophones and gongs which are present in the gamelan music. A melting pot of exotic sounds during this remarkable concert will be the result. Tickets can be reserved at the Muziekgebouw.

 

Sunday, 27 February 2011, 11.00 | BAM HAll |
Pimp My Organ 2 |

Due to great success in December 2009, now the sequel to Pimp My Organ! During this concert the computerized Fokker organ will again be operated by laptops. Using the latest electronic features, the 31-tone organ now will be pimped-up! The Mexican composer Sebastian Velasco and the New York composer and Gaudeamus Music Prize Winner of 2007, Christopher Trapani, composed a piece for this concert. Also with works of Verduin, Benard, Pfeiffer, Mensingh and flautist Jos Zwaanenburg who will play a revised composition of himself, accompanied by organist Ere Lievonen. Tickets can be reserved at the Muziekgebouw.

 

Sunday, 19 December 2010, 11.00 | BAM HAll |
The untempered cinema|

This production brings film and live music together in a cinema of untempered sounds. On the Fokker organ, pianist and master improvisor Hugo van Neck accompanies the movie Aelita of director Yakov Protazanov, with a.o. the actors Yuliya Solntseva, Igor Ilyinsky and Nikolai Tsereteli. Only the organ pipes and the movie images can be seen in the BAM Hall this morning. Exciting, dramatic and funny scenes will be reinforced by the 31-tone organ during this performance. This film will be introduced at 11 o'clock by movie specialist Theodore van Houten.
You can order tickets by the Muziekgebouw.

 

Sunday, 28 November 2010, 11 hours | BAM Hall | Ensemble SCALA |

During this concert the Fokker organ will be part of a new ensemble for microtonal music of seven musicians, under the name of Ensemble SCALA. The musicians are all specialists in performing microtonal music and will explore together the frontiers of the colorful 31-tone tuning of the famous Fokker organ. A collection of new sounds can be heard next to music from existing repertoire. The composers on the programme are among others René Samson, Steffen Krebber, Ned McGowan, John Bull en Nicola Vicentino.
Tickets can be ordered by the Muziekgebouw.

 


Sunday, 10 October 2010, 11 hours | BAM Hall | Organic Movements |

During this concert organ player Ere Lievonen will perform several new 31-tone compositions. The Flemish composer Bert Van Herck and the Dutch/American composer Christina Oorebeek were asked to compose a new piece for the Fokker organ. There will be an older work (2002, premiere) played, composed by Sander Germanus, which will be performed completely by a laptop. Besides this new repertoire there will be early baroque music from the interesting composers Ascanio Mayone, Giovanni Maria Trabaci and Tarquinio Merula on the programme.
Tickets can be ordered by the Muziekgebouw.

 

Gaudeamus Music Week | 9-12-'10, 12.30 | Ere Lievonen, Fokker organ|

Sunday the 12th of September 2010 there will be a special concert in the BAM Hall of the Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ with the Fokker organ during the Gaudeamus Music Week. As many as 10 premieres are on the program, from eleven composers who composed especially for this occasion. These microtonal compositions will be performed by organ player Ere Lievonen or by laptops, possibly supplemented with audio. The composers are Janco Verduin, Steffen Krebber, Hector Bravo Benard, Martin Lo-A-Njoe, Michiel Mensingh, François Gabriel Madden, André Douw, Sean Winters, Christian Pfeiffer, Joseph Michaels and Iván González Escuder. Free admission

 

Sunday, May 30, 2010, 11.00 | BAM Hall |
Hans Kox 80 years

To mark the eightieth birthday of composer Hans Kox the Huygens-Fokker Foundation organizes in cooperation with the Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ an unique concert about Kox' complete 31-tone works. Because of his special musical relationship with professor Adriaan Fokker these works were composed by Hans Kox between the late fifties an early sixties. His stringquartet, his violinduo and other microtonal pieces for piano, violin & baritone will be performed. Besides this organist Ere Lievonen shall play all the works for the Fokker organ, namely the Larghetto, 3 epigrammen voor 31-toonsorgel and Passacaglia en Koraal. Read more
You can order tickets by the Muziekgebouw.

 

Sunday, March 21, 2010, 11.00 | BAM Hall | New harvest/Old masters

In this concert, organist Joop van Goozen, who has specialised in playing the Fokker organ since the nineties, is presenting a wonderful collection of old and new 31-tone music. Special guest Jos Zwaanenburg will provide Joop van Goozen with musical accompaniment during this concert. Especially for this concert he composed a new work for flute, Fokker organ and live electronics. Besides old masters like Froberger and Rossi, the programme includes familiar works from the regular repertoire, by Peter Schat and Henk Badings, among others.
Tickets can be ordered by the Muziekgebouw.

 

Sunday, February 21st 2010, 11.00 | BAM Hall | Guus Janssen touches the Fokker organ

Guus Janssen will be touching and playing the Fokker organ (on both 12-tone and 31-tone keyboards). Special guest is clarinet and saxophone player David Kweksilber, who will provide him with musical accompaniment during several improvisations. Janssen will also compose some short pieces and jazz themes especially for the Fokker organ to investigate the possibilities of improvising with microtonality. If you're curious to know where this leads to and you're up to hear a new sound, come and visit this exciting and unpredictable concert!
You can order tickets by the Muziekgebouw.

 

Concert | February 14th 2010, 11.00 | BAM Hall | Chinese Temperaments

Under the Chinese Opera Weekend the organ-player Ere Lievonen and erhu-player Fang Weiling will search for corresponding temperaments and tunings by improvising on a Chinese theme and playing a Chinese composition during this concert. The erhu, in Western countries better known a the "Chinese violin", is a two-snared string instrument that is regularly used as a solo instrument or as part of ensembles or orchestras. On the programme is furthermore the Bagatelle "Chinees" of Adriaan Fokker, Suite van kleine stukken of Henk Badings en a whole new piece of Joke Kegel, named Imaginary City.
Tickets can be reserved by the Muziekgebouw. Free admission.


 

Concert 12-13-09, 11 am, BAM Hall : Pimp My Organ!

In this concert, the Fokker organ will be operated by laptops. Several composers will work with live electronics in their pieces. All of them (Marc Sabat, Danny de Graan, Rozalie Hirs and Jos Zwaanenburg) composed a work for the Fokker organ operated via MIDI. A composition by Conlon Nancarrow will also be performed, with electronics and in a more just tuning. Using extra digital stops and other new electronic possibilities of this renovated acoustic 31-tone instrument, the Fokker organ will be expanded and pimped with many new sounds.
Tickets can be ordered by the Muziekgebouw.

 

La Barca Leyden , 11-22-09, 11 am: The fifth tone of Christiaan Huygens

Exploration through ornamentation and Baroque improvisation, of the effect the existence of an instrument such as the Fokker-organ would have had on the music from Christiaan Huygens' time. Research has shown that the use of additional tones/keys (to be able to tune the instrument) led some composers of the seventeenth century to a bizarre use of chromatic micro tones. A chance for Baroque ensemble La Barca Leyden to rewrite the history of music.
Tickets can be orderd by the Muziekgebouw.

 

 

Premiere concert Fokker organ, October 11th 2009, 11.00 hours, BAM Zaal - Muziekgebouw: '31-tone music at the IJ'


Organ player Ere Lievonen, next to Joop van Goozen the new player of the Fokker organ, will play fascinating 31-tone music during this concert.

Besides the fact that there will be new music performed on the Fokker organ, from which the composition Forma of Danny de Graan is one of them, old masters of the meantone temperament can also be heard, among them a work composed by the famous Dutchman from Amsterdam: Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck. Other historical repertoire will also be performed this morning on this special microtonal instrument, among them work of the composers Henk Badings en Ivan Wyschnegradsky.
Tickets can be orderd by the Muziekgebouw.


Inaugural concert, 5-17-2009, 11 am | BAM Hall, Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ

After the renovation of the Fokker-organ the instrument will make it's return into the music world by a surprising inaugural concert. There will be a cross section of the concerts of next season, including highlights of the repertoire of the Fokker-organ played by Joop van Goozen, improvisations by Guus Janssen, old music played La Barca Leyden and a demonstration of the new possibilities of the Fokker-organ by composer Danny de Graan.

 

Renovation Fokker-organ

orgelorgelThe Fokker organ needed a restoration badly. It had to be reassembled, renovated and rebuilt into a modern organ. Requests haven been sent to various funds. The Huygens-Fokker Foundation needed these financial aids, because otherwise this unique 31-tone organ would be in danger of being lost. The plan was to place the Fokker organ definitively above the glass wall of the BAM Zaal in the Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ in Amsterdam. A better location could not have been wished for. In this room one will be able to enjoy, through concerts and educational projects, music specially composed for the instrument and the unique musical heritage that Christiaan Huygens (proponent of the 31-tone system) has initiated in the Netherlands. Read more

 

 

 

 

News archive

Call for scores!
The Huygens-Fokker Foundation is seeking new works for Fokker organ (31-tone organ), composed for performer or for laptop, controlling the instrument through MIDI. A combination of the Fokker organ and the Carrillo-piano is also possible (check the corresponding tones here). Submitted compositions will be evaluated on playability and quality before considering a possible performance during our next Fokker organ concert series.


In memoriam Bob Gilmore, 1961-2015
Friday January 2, 2015 musicologist and musician Bob Gilmore deceased at the age of 53. For years Bob was a member of the board of the Huygens-Fokker Foundation, editor emeritus of the Thirty-One Journal and above all a very warm and endearing man. As a pleader of microtonal music he was a specialist in the field of the music of Harry Partch, Ben Johnston and Horatiu Radulescu. Known is his book Harry Partch: a biography (Yale University Press, 1998). As a musician he was performing with Trio Scordatura. In recent years, he was among others working at the Brunel University in London and the Orpheus Institute in Ghent. We will miss him very much...

 

In memoriam Sjoerd Jan Brunia
On May 28, 2014 Sjoerd Brunia suddenly deceased. In the early 90s Sjoerd was interim director of the Huygens-Fokker Foundation. Under his guidance articles about microtonality were published and concerts were organised. As a regular visitor of the Fokker organ concerts he was to the last very much involved in the activities of the foundation. We will miss him. Sjoerd was 67 years.

 

Renovation Fokker-organ
The Fokker organ needed a orgelrestoration badly. It had to be reassembled, renovated and rebuilt into a modern organ. Requests haven been sent to various funds. The Huygens-Fokker Foundation needed these financial aids, because otherwise this unique 31-tone organ would be in danger of being lost. The plan was to place the Fokker organ definitively above the glass wall of orgelthe BAM Zaal in the Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ in Amsterdam. A better location could not have been wished for. In this room one will be able to enjoy, through concerts and educational projects, music specially composed for the instrument and the unique musical heritage that Christiaan Huygens (proponent of the 31-tone system) has initiated in the Netherlands. Read more

 

Thirty-One

Thirty-One is the journal of the Huygens-Fokker Foundation, a periodical about microtonal music with lots of information and scientific content, that appears around two times a year.
See the webpage of Thirty-One on our site. You can also find it on www.thirty-one.eu!

 

 

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