Concert in Oosterkerk, Amsterdam

On Sunday 19th September 2010, we classical musicians will once again compete with the famous “Dam to Dam.” This 26th edition of “Dam tot Dam” (Dam to Dam) is the largest running event in the world and the largest business run of its kind. The name comes from the start and finish cities of AmsterDAM and ZaanDAM. [More information in English here.]

I say we will compete WITH not compete IN this “Dam tot Dam” because we are competing for the attention of the audience and the logistics of getting to the church on time. The Oosterkerk, like other central attractions, will not be reachable by private car or bus. The main roads will be closed to traffic to allow the 10 English Mile, the 4-English Mile, and the mini Dam tot Dam.

The organ in the Oosterkerk in Amsterdam

A year ago, the third Sunday in September, we gave a free concert of contemporary works in this 17th century church. No longer used for religious services, the church offered regular organ concerts and art exhibitions for the community

We were being paid a flat fee so it did not matter how many people came. The concert itself, like this year’s, was entirely FREE to the public. Unaware of this marathon, we arrived to a deserted Amsterdam that Sunday morning. We got off at Muiderport station and walked a good 15 minutes with our costumes, guitar, music stand, and music scores. It was all quiet on the eastern front (oost means east in Dutch). There was enough space for several hundred.

Bekkers Piano Guitar Duo in Oosterkerk in Amsterdam, September 2009

Only 20 people came to the free concert.

We wondered how the Funen Concert at nearby Funen Park 125 (also on the east of central Amsterdam) fared at 15:00.

This year, I will be giving a concert with French horn player Emile Kaper at 15:00 i.e. AFTER the Bekkers Piano Guitar Duo concert. Unlike the Oosterkerk concert, the Funen Concert pays the musicians based on a percentage of total revenue. This year it’s 10 euros per ticket at entry. The maximum capacity is 40. Reservations are not required but requested. Thus it’s vitally important that anyone what wants to attend our concerts know just how to get to these two concert venues with respect to the marathon.

Empty seats at the Oosterkerk in Amsterdam

—- continued on next blog post: How to travel around Amsterdam during the Dam tot Dam

Live music in the churches of Florence

Every morning in Florence, I wake up to the sound of church bells. It was the same in Venice a week earlier. I just need to count the number of rings to know the time. They never seem to ring when I’m deep asleep. I made a short recording to remember the sound, just before breakfast with my mom.

On this warm Sunday morning in November, I took a detour and led my mother to the church of a nearby monastery. The sound of the organ lured us in. 

A young nun stood at the entrance handing out programme sheets entitled “Solennita di Tutti i Santi.” On one side of the church kneeled two rows of nuns. On the other side kneeled monks. As I had never been to a church service with nuns and monks, I was curious if this was a Latin Mass, i.e. with Gregorian chants.

The Santa Maria Assunta church of the “Fraternita Monastiche di Gerusalemme” gradually filled up as time passed. The pure sound of men and women contrasted greatly against the tenor and baritone duo at the Latin Mass we had attended the previous Sunday at San Simeon Piccolo in Venice. I felt somewhat guilty that it was the music that caused me to stay for the service.

The same evening we arrived early for a concert of countertenor, oboe, and organ at the Chiesa Santa Maria de’ Ricci via Del Corso.  The countertenor opened with Pergolesi’s Salve Regina, soaring to heaven. I explained to my mom that it’s rare to hear countertenors. Indeed it was her first time.

After the countertenor, the oboist played a piece of Corelli. I couldn’t find the correct Chinese word for the instrument or explain the details to my mother.

It was exciting to see the organist and his 12 digits (fingers and feet) playing one of my favourite pieces, Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor. The countertenor assisted him by turning pages and switching the registers. Usually we never get to see the organist in action. Here with the organ in front of us, we could see and hear him.

 The church was only 25% full, despite the freebie. After the concert, the church custodian brought out CDs for sale. At 15 euros per CD for an unfamiliar group of musicians, I thought it was pricey. But for a free concert, to support the musicians, I was happy to pay for it.

While listening to the 50-minute CD, a live recording of flute, countertenor, and organ, I learned that the association was formed in the late 80’s and the music school since 1990. The Giovani Musicisti Fiorentini offers free concerts of mainly Baroque music on organ, flute, oboe, and often with voice such as soprano and countertenor. Apparently they provide free live music every single day of the year.