VSCD Oeuvre Prize for conductor, organist and harpsichordist Ton Koopman

Conductor, organist and harpsichordist Ton Koopman has received the VSCD Oeuvre prize. The prize is an irregularly awarded by the Association of Schouwburg and Concertbouwdiries (VSCD) a tribute to performing artists who have made a major contribution to the Dutch performing arts. Ton Koopman is currently touring the Netherlands with his Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra with the Brandenburg concerts from Bach. He received the prize on Friday evening after a concert in Arnhem.

In a press release, the VSCD Koopman praises an influential pioneer in the old music. « His striving for historical authenticity and musical perfection has led to groundbreaking performances of works by Bach, Händel and Buxtehude. As the founder of the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir and initiator of the integral recording of Bachs Cantates, he left a lasting stamp on the international music world. ” His role as a teacher and mentor of young musicians and his commitment to put Dutch organ repertoire on the map are also mentioned.

Koopman founded his Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra in 1979. « The Johannes Passion We did in those early years in jeans. The choir was in hip rocks, just because they thought the beautiful music ”, he told at the ten -year anniversary. Koopman is now 80. In one interview in NRC He mused last year about the start of his career: “From the age of ten I went to look at the bike organs in a thirty kilometers around Zwolle. At that time you could find at least a thousand organs in that area.  » He also expressed his worries: “What I am worried about is the growth of organists. Our profession is one of the worst paid in music. « 

After Gustav Leonhardt (2006, Koopmans Klavecimbel teacher) and Frans Brüggen (2007) it is the third VSCD Oeuvre prize that goes to a classical musician, for the third time in the old music corner. Other winners included Rudi van Dantzig (2003), Youp van't Hek (2016) and Tineke Schouten (2017).

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