EMS "Dutch Organ Improvisation" 18/8/2024 (R)

[AuntDaisy]

A repeat of a 2023 EMS on "Dutch Organ Improvisation" for 18th August.

Dutch Organ Improvisation - The Early Music Show
International performer and lecturer Sietz de Vries takes Hannah French on an organ tour of the Dutch province of Groningen to explore its still thriving tradition of improvisation.

Music Played
Johann Sebastian Bach Sinfonia on Cantata 'Wir danken dir', BWW. 29, Sietze de Vries.
Claude Goudimel Old Hundreth + Improvisations, Sietze de Vries.
Sietze de Vries Psalm 9 (Genevan Psalter) + Improvisations
Johann Sebastian Bach Jesu, meine Freude BWV 227 (Chorale), Sietze de Vries.
Sietze de Vries Psalm 124 (Genevan Psalter) + Improvisations
Anonymous Improvisation on God Save the King, Carlos J. Fernández Bollo
Sietze de Vries Psalm 51 (Genevan Psalter) + Improvisations

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001nnv7

[AuntDaisy]

Enjoyed the Bach, it's livened up a sunny afternoon.

[Mandryka]

Sietze de Vries is really well regarded - I've never heard anything from him myself.

[AuntDaisy]

Sietze de Vries is really well regarded - I've never heard anything from him myself.

He's new to me as well.
Thoroughly enjoying the rest of the EMS.

[oddoneout]

He's new to me as well.
Thoroughly enjoying the rest of the EMS.

It was going so well until 5-50pm, when the last item was introduced over the sound of the organ playing. When it was finally allowed to come through it was clear that the bit we'd missed was the theme for the improvisation we were hearing. I don't know about anyone else but my knowledge does not stretch to being able to bring to mind Psalm(whatever number) of the Genevan Psalter to be able to fully appreciate the improvisation on it. I assume that the original broadcast was curtailed to allow Mr Seow his spot, but it wouldn't have been a good decision even then, if so. At least the filler was some good choral Bach and the adverts came after that, so small mercies I suppose.
It was a good EMS though and I very much enjoyed hearing the different organs and the demonstrations and explanations from Sietz de Vries. It didn't sound familiar so I must have missed it first time round.

[AuntDaisy]

It was going so well until 5-50pm, when the last item was introduced over the sound of the organ playing. When it was finally allowed to come through it was clear that the bit we'd missed was the theme for the improvisation we were hearing. I don't know about anyone else but my knowledge does not stretch to being able to bring to mind Psalm(whatever number) of the Genevan Psalter to be able to fully appreciate the improvisation on it. I assume that the original broadcast was curtailed to allow Mr Seow his spot, but it wouldn't have been a good decision even then, if so. At least the filler was some good choral Bach and the adverts came after that, so small mercies I suppose.
It was a good EMS though and I very much enjoyed hearing the different organs and the demonstrations and explanations from Sietz de Vries. It didn't sound familiar so I must have missed it first time round.

Yes, that was a really good EMS and, like you, I think I missed it first time round.

Looking for the Genevan Psalms / Psalter project that HF mentioned as an ongoing project, I came across JSB records (is JSR a typo on the BBC website?)
There's a video of Sietz de Vries playing Psalm 51 that ended EMS (is it on a different organ?). Lots of other music looks to be available to watch & even to buy.

https://www.allepsalmen.nl/psalmen/43-psalm-051.html

[oddoneout]

Yes, that was a really good EMS and, like you, I think I missed it first time round.

Looking for the Genevan Psalms / Psalter project that HF mentioned as an ongoing project, I came across JSB records (is JSR a typo on the BBC website?)
There's a video of Sietz de Vries playing Psalm 51 that ended EMS (is it on a different organ?). Lots of other music looks to be available to watch & even to buy.
https://www.allepsalmen.nl/psalmen/43-psalm-051.html

Well he was in the Martinikerk towards the end of the programme - the name rather stuck in my mind... I can't remember if that was what was being played for the last piece though. Have just got sidetracked by a video of de Vries at his "green monster" - fascinating to see what he was talking about.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4zgkOW53_0

[AuntDaisy]

Well he was in the Martinikerk towards the end of the programme - the name rather stuck in my mind... I can't remember if that was what was being played for the last piece though. Have just got sidetracked by a video of de Vries at his "green monster" - fascinating to see what he was talking about.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4zgkOW53_0

Many thanks oddoneout, I really enjoyed that video.

[oddoneout]

Many thanks oddoneout, I really enjoyed that video.

He's one of those individuals who can be both enthusiastic and interesting about his passion on radio, but having the pictures from the video added to the enjoyment of the EMS broadcast - not least for seeing the horizontal organ stop array which corresponds to the manuals, which I don't think he mentioned on EMS. Makes a lot of sense but did involve quite a long reach for the end ones - and there were some behind him I noticed.

[Mandryka]

I have a recording of music by Buxtehude and improvisations on the music by Sietze -- on the Uithuizen Schnitger -- if anyone wants it, PM me.


The sound on that Groningen Schnitger dem is better than the sound of the organ on many commercial recordings!

I should at some point before dying hear that organ -- Groningen's a pain in the butt to get to from London though.