Course 3

Organ repertoire by Johann Sebastian Bach I by Prof. Matthias Havinga

Dates: July 20-24 (1st week)

Description
It is the unique and rich tradition of the Haarlem Summer Academy to offer no fewer than four Bach courses: the perfect opportunity to explore this repertoire with knowledge and experience from more than one source. Opinions on how the music of this undoubtedly greatest composer ever should be played are constantly changing, resulting in much discussion and contradictory statements. However, the Haarlem Summer Academy is not interested in a “single way” of playing Bach’s music, or anyone else’s music. On the contrary, participation in our masterclasses is an opportunity to try out conflicting interpretations! Ultimately, the organ itself will tell you which interpretation makes sense and which does not.

Repertoire List
Triosonatas BWV 525-530
Schübler-choräle BWV 645-650
18 chorals (Leipziger) BWV 651-668
Preludes and Fugues G-minor BWV 535, A-major BWV 536, C-minor BWV 537, D-minor BWV 539, B-minor BWV 544, C-minor BWV 546, E-minor BWV 548, G-major BWV 550
Toccatas and Fugues D-minor BWV 538, F-major 540

Choose which pieces from this list you want to prepare and let us know by sending an email to office@organfestival.nl. Please note that the playing time per student is limited and that we cannot guarantee that you can play all your preferred pieces. Nevertheless, choose approximately 3-5 pieces so that the professor can compile an attractive course program.
If we do not receive notification of your prepared pieces, your registration will be changed to passive.

This course can not be combined with:
[1b] Organ repertoire by Louis Vierne and Charles-Marie Widor (Van Oosten)
[1c] Improvisation (Ulsrud)

(1a)

About Matthias Havinga

Matthias Havinga is concert organist and pianist, professor of organ at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam and organist of the Oude Kerk Amsterdam. He acquired his Master of Music degree summa cum laude at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam as a student of Jacques van Oortmerssen, graduating in piano from the same institution as a pupil of Marcel Baudet. At the Royal Conservatory in The Hague he studied improvisation and church music with Jos van der Kooy.
Matthias was awarded several prizes at international organ competitions. He enjoys an international career, performing and teaching at prestigious venues all over the world. Matthias also performed solo with renowned choirs and orchestras, such as the Tonhalleorchester Zürich, the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and the Netherlands Bach Society. His CDs, ‘J.S.Bach – Italian Concertos’, ‘Passacaglia’, ‘Dutch Delight’, ‘Mendelssohn - Organ Works’, 'Concerto Barocco' with recorder quintet Seldom Sene, and 'Miroir de Peine' with soprano Klaartje van Veldhoven, all released on the Brilliant Classics label, have been received with widespread acclaim. Matthias runs a Youtube-channel devoted to organ music and can also be heard in his recordings for AllofBach.

Havinga likes to cover the entire range of repertoire for the organ, from medieval to contemporary music and everything in between. He also enjoys combining the organ with other instruments.