Hendrik Andriessen | Aria

• Gert Ronner plays «Aria» composed by Hendrik Andriessen in 1944 on the 1907 P.J. Adema & Zn. organ at the Church of Saint Joseph in Haarlem, the Netherlands.
• Hendrik Andriessen (1892-1981) may be one of the most well-known and successful composers from the Netherlands, alongside Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck and Samuel de Lange. Andriessen was born into a family of artists, his father being an organist and composer, his mother a painter.
First and foremost, he was an organist and composer of liturgical works, and he put a lot of effort in the reform of roman catholic liturgy. Well-known and admired for his improvisational skills during solemn mass, he grew out to become an important tutor and composer of music in quite some different genres as well. His song cycle «Miroir de Peine» from 1923 is especially noteworthy.
For the Aria played here, Andriessen does not provide any registration suggestions. I chose to use the string stops (with sub octave coupler) for the accompaniment and the wonderful velvety Flûte Harmonique for the expressive melody.
An interesting story is connected to this piece of music: Pieter Vroon, cafe owner in Utrecht, commissioned Andriessen to compose of music, who in turn demanded a bottle of the typical dutch Orange Liquor (quite rare during the Second World War) in return. The deal was made and Andriessen dedicated the piece to its commissioner.
• The 1906 Adema organ at the church of Saint Joseph in Haarlem is a typical example of 19th century organ building. The organ has a homogeneous sound palette, resembling the sounds of a symphonic orchestra, which in turn inspired many composers to compose for this new type of organ from the early 1860's and onwards. The casing of the instrument is half a century older and housed a previous instrument built by Lindsen in 1856. Such famous composers and organists as Hendrik Andriessen, Albert de Klerk and Gemma Coebergh played this organ for many years and it is famous for its poetic characteristics.
• Specification:
Hoofdwerk: Principaal 16', Bourdon 16', Prestant 8', Salicionaal 8', Fluit Harmoniek 8', Holpijp 8', Quint 6', Octaaf 4', Octaaf 2', Cornet V st., Mixtuur II-V st., Trompet 8' | Zwelwerk: Prestant 8', Viola 8', Vox Coelestis 8', Bourdon 8', Quintaton 8', Violone 4', Fluit Harmoniek 4', Piccolo 2', Sesquialter II-III st., Trompet 8', Fagot-Hobo 8', Vox Humana 8', tremulant | Pedaal: Contrebas 16', Subbas 16' (HW), Openbas 8', Gedektbas 8', Openfluit 4', Bazuin 16', Trompet 8' | 4 manual couplers (incl. Sub- and super), pedal coupler, Setzer.

[@HenriOrgan]

Wat speel je dit mooi Gertjan! Heel intens, fijn en zeer diepgaand.

[@gert.ronner]

Dankjewel! Mooi dat dat overkomt, daar doe ik het uiteindelijk voor..

[@johnstag1391]

Excellent work from the heart.

[@gert.ronner]

Thank you very much John, and welcome to my channel.

[@Jan-wander]

Heel mooi Gertjan. Dit orgel ligt jou wel he! Zo lekker mystiek!

[@gert.ronner]

Zeker Jan, heerlijk instrument!!

[@Lubkramer]

Mooi Gertjan!

[@MarcoNijland]

Heel mooi Gertjan😍

[@DircoOskam]

Heel mooi!

[@tonreijnaerdts2900]

Mooi!!

[@jaapophoff3747]

Mooi

[@MinneVeldmanOrganist]

Smullen!

[@gert.ronner]

Dankje Minne!