Organ Concerts

Apart from being an instrument to accompany church singing the organ is a music instrument for which a very large repertoire has been composed during many centuries. Especially music from the Baroque gets a lot of attention. The last couple of decades however show a revival of the interest in organ music from the 19th century. It is this kind of music to which Paul Houdijk feels especially attracted. Consequently his organ concerts are centred on this music. What matters is not only the chosen repertoire, but also how the music is performed. This starts with a romantic basic attitude. Here romanticism is considered as the urgent realisation that besides the sensorial perceptive world, there is a world 'behind the horizon', the world of the supernatural. It is always the desire and the intention of the romanticist to get there. For more information, see the section 'Publications' on this website.

It goes without saying that Paul Houdijk is continuously searching for what we can find out about historical performance (registration principles, legato attitude, fingering and pedalling, use of crescendo pedals, etc.) and authentic instruments from the 19th century. He is convinced that a thorough knowledge in this area is of utmost importance. Especially to enhance one’s musical intuition (which is also a form of knowledge) and musical feeling, because these two qualities remain indispensable.  Science in this way serves sentiment and art. You will find some examples of programs and concerts on the sections 'Agenda' and ‘Sound Gallery’ of this website.