- Ton Koopman
Ton Koopman (born
12 October 1944 inZwolle ,Netherlands ) is a conductor,organist andharpsichordist .Koopman had a "classical education" and then studied the organ (with Simon C. Jansen),
harpsichord (withGustav Leonhardt ) andmusicology inAmsterdam . He specialized inBaroque music and received the Prix d'Excellence for both organ and harpsichord.In 1979 Koopman founded the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra and the Amsterdam Baroque Choir in 1992 (now combined as the
Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir ). Koopman concentrates on Baroque music, especially that of Bach, and is a leading figure in theauthentic performance movement. While a number of early-music conductors have ventured into newer music, Koopman has not. He has said, "I draw the line atMozart ’s death" (1791). One exception is his recording of theConcert Champêtre ofFrancis Poulenc , written in 1928.Among Koopman's most ambitious projects was the recording of the complete cycle of all of Bach's cantatas, a project completed in 2005. He has received many prizes for his recordings. He has recently commenced Buxtehude Opera Omnia - a project to record the complete works of Buxtehude. As of
18 May 2008 , seven volumes have been released. [ [http://www.antoinemarchand.nl/buxeng.htm Buxtehude Opera Omnia ] ]Koopman's extensive discography includes the complete Bach cantatas and organ works, St Matthew (twice) and St John Passions,
Mass in B minor ,Christmas Oratorio , a recording of his own reconstruction of the lost St Mark Passion, concertos and harpsichord works by Bach, Mozart's Coronation Mass and Vespers, Requiem, a cycle of Mozart symphonies, Vivaldi'sFour Seasons , Handel's Messiah and Organ Concertos, et al.Besides his work with the
Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir , he is in frequent demand as guest conductor and as harpsichordist and organist. Some of his organ interpretations have drawn criticism for their overuse of ornamentation. His aim is always to achieve authenticity in performance, using exact copies of historical instruments from the time of the composer.In 2003 he established his own recording company "Antoine Marchand" (a French translation of his name).
In April 2003 he was knighted in the
Netherlands , receiving the Orde van de Nederlandse Leeuw (literally: order of the Dutch lion).References
* [http://www.culturekiosque.com/klassik/intervie/ra1ton.htm Interview]
* [http://www.classicstoday.com/digest/pdigest.asp?perfidx=32051 Reviews]
* [http://www.naxos.com/artistinfo/bio7055.htm Biography at Naxos.com]
* [http://leidsewetenschappers.leidenuniv.nl/show.php3?medewerker_id=798 Biography at Leiden University]
* [http://www.nieuws.leidenuniv.nl/index.php3?c=1337&m= Article at Leiden University]
* [http://www.nieuws.leidenuniv.nl/index.php3?m=&c=228 Other article at Leiden University]
* [http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Bio/Koopman-Ton.htm Bach-cantatas.com: Ton Koopman]External links
*http://www.tonkoopman.nl/ - official website
* [http://www.bachagenda.nl/weblog/default.asp?lIntWeblogId=3 Weblog]
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