Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck: a born talent

Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck (1562-1621) was born in Deventer, the son of Pieter Swibbertszoon ( x-1573). Sweelinck's father was organist of St. Lebuïnus Church in Deventer, but in 1566 he received a position at the Oude Kerk. When Swibbertszoon died, Sweelinck - who preferred his mother's maiden name - was still too young to take over his father's position. But a few years later, in 1577, one of the greatest composers in Dutch history was officially appointed organist the Oude Kerk.

Public concerts in the Oude Kerk

Just a year after Sweelinck 's appointment at the Oude Kerk, the Alteration of Amsterdam followed. From then on, people stopped the custom of playing music during the liturgy. The Reformed associated music with the devil, and a richly decorated organ had no place in a Protestant church. However, the Reformed did not succeed in getting the organ out of the church, and music continued to be played in the Oude Kerk during the hours between Masses. Sweelinck gave a publicly accessible concert almost every day, playing Geneva psalm melodies. Looking at the pieces he handed down, we can even imagine that he also incorporated popular folk melodies into his concerts. A bold choice, as this experimental music will not have been to the liking of the preachers.

International fame, then and now

Where music had previously sounded in the streets, or behind the closed doors of the court, for example, or in church services, in the Oude Kerk you could simply walk in and enjoy a daily concert. This brought Sweelinck much fame, even outside Amsterdam. Young organists from all over Europe came to Amsterdam to take lessons from him, and Sweelinck exerted a great influence on the music of contemporaries and composers after him. His influence was so great that today Sweelinck is still considered one of the most important composers in Dutch history.

Buried in the place where Sweelinck spent his life

After his death, Sweelinck was buried in the Oude Kerk; he was given a grave in
Kooromgang
99. His daughter Elsje and his son Dirk Janszoon - who succeeded him as organist of the Oude Kerk - are buried under the same tombstone. Sweelinck 's children Pieter and Ysbrant were buried elsewhere in the church. Sweelinck is additionally remembered in honor with a plaque, a bust and the choir of the Oude Kerk congregation named after him.
The history of the organ played by Sweelinck
The organ played by Sweelinck was made in about 1536 by Henrick Niehoff and his partner Hans van Coelen. Niehoff was considered one of the most famous organ builders of his time. It was very common for several people to collaborate on an organ. For example, the organ case was made by Adriaen Scalck and painted by Maarten van Heemskerck. In 1724, this organ was replaced by the current Vater-Müller organ.

The continuation of Sweelinck 's concerts

Today, music can still be enjoyed in the Oude Kerk even outside of masses. Every first Friday of the month, the program Silence takes place, in which young and experimental musicians and sound artists are invited to give a concert in the church. Silence is thus a continuation of a tradition started by Sweelinck. In addition, sound artist Susan Philipsz drew inspiration from Sweelinck's work for her solo exhibition “The Fall” at the Oude Kerk. Philipsz took “Mein junges Leben hat ein End,” a piece Sweelinck wrote for the harpsichord, as the starting point for this exhibition.