The Orpheus of Amsterdam

Masterworks of Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck

If there is one name in the history of music in the northern Netherlands that is etched in the collective memory, it is undoubtedly that of Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck - a composer of impressive vocal and instrumental works of exceptionally high quality.

He is celebrated as the "Orpheus of Amsterdam", as he was organist of the Oude Kerk between 1577 and 1621, and the Amsterdam city council knew how to patronise the popular musician in their city and help him to prosper. Sweelinck's vocal works were widely distributed thanks to the fourishing publishing industry, but his organ works also had a great infuence on the North German organ school, right up to Johann Sebastian Bach.

Pan Classics PC10462, 2024