Role

:

Composer  

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

Jacques van Oortmerssen was a renowned Dutch organist and harpsichordist who was born on September 9, 1950, in Rotterdam, Netherlands. He was raised in a musical family, and his father was a church organist. Jacques began playing the piano at a young age and later switched to the organ, which became his primary instrument. Jacques van Oortmerssen studied at the Rotterdam Conservatory, where he received his diploma in organ performance in 1972. He continued his studies at the Sweelinck Conservatory in Amsterdam, where he studied with Gustav Leonhardt and received his diploma in harpsichord performance in 1974. He also studied with Marie-Claire Alain in France and Luigi Ferdinando Tagliavini in Italy. Jacques van Oortmerssen began his career as a concert organist in the early 1970s, and he quickly gained a reputation as one of the leading organists of his generation. He was known for his virtuosic playing and his ability to bring out the unique qualities of each organ he played. He was also a champion of contemporary music and premiered many new works for the organ. One of the highlights of Jacques van Oortmerssen's career was his appointment as the organist of the Oude Kerk in Amsterdam in 1981. The Oude Kerk is one of the oldest churches in Amsterdam, and it has a historic organ that dates back to the 17th century. Jacques van Oortmerssen was responsible for the maintenance and restoration of the organ, and he also gave regular concerts on it. His performances at the Oude Kerk were highly acclaimed, and he became known as one of the world's leading interpreters of Dutch organ music. Jacques van Oortmerssen was also a prolific recording artist, and he made over 50 recordings during his career. His recordings included works by Bach, Buxtehude, Sweelinck, and many other composers. He was particularly known for his recordings of Dutch organ music, and his recordings of the works of Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck are considered to be some of the best ever made. In addition to his work as an organist, Jacques van Oortmerssen was also a respected teacher. He taught at the Sweelinck Conservatory in Amsterdam from 1979 to 2005, and he also taught at the Hochschule für Musik in Stuttgart, Germany, from 1991 to 2005. Many of his students went on to have successful careers as organists and harpsichordists. Jacques van Oortmerssen received many awards and honors during his career. In 1990, he was awarded the Sweelinck Prize, which is the highest honor for a Dutch musician. He was also awarded the Prix d'Excellence from the Rotterdam Conservatory in 1972 and the Prix d'Interprétation from the International Harpsichord Competition in Bruges in 1974. Jacques van Oortmerssen passed away on November 26, 2015, at the age of 65. His death was a great loss to the world of classical music, and he was mourned by his colleagues, students, and fans around the world. His legacy lives on through his recordings, his students, and the many organists who continue to be inspired by his playing.

More....