Craeyvanger, K. A.; op.03 Introduction et variations - Video

[fer nan do]

Sincerely,

Fernando

[dmcharg]

Wonderful fernando.Very nice tone and stunning playing. Interesting first instrument, what maker/year ? Very very nice indeed, such a rich tone. Excellent recording as well, thanks for posting.

[fer nan do]

Hi there,

Thanks a lot for your compliments!

The instrument is an original Johann Georg Stauffer, Legnani Model, built in Vienna, Austria around 1824.

(The second is a Nico van der Waals, built in 1999)

Fernando

[Erik Zurcher]

Brilliant performance, Fernando. You play so effortless, a real joy!

[Erik Zurcher]

Fernando, in the video you introduce K. A. Craeyvanger in Dutch to your audience. As this is an English speaking forum, will you tell us a bit about the composer?

[fer nan do]

Hi Erik,

Sure, my pleasure!

Karel Arnoldus Craeijvanger was born in 1817, in Utrecht (NL). He was a prominent figure in the Dutch male choir scene. He was violinist (presumably taught by his father, also a violinist), conductor, composer, guitarist and had a fine bass voice. He played regularly in a stringquartet and sang in public. The well balanced nature of these pieces suggest that he wrote more. He died in 1868 and left two published works. A set of three nocturnes and the Fantasie I play in the above posted clip. Guitarist Paul Pleijsier has been looking for more pieces since the eighties. He is probably the first who played his music after it had been forgotten in the 19th century. It had been his biggest wish to find the third composition (that was mentioned in an old biographical text) and honour Craeijvanger by making a beautifull well documented 'complete works'. Sadly this took a lot of time and it seems that he stopped searching and abandoned the plan. In the meantime the Fantasy has been published separately.


note: I have recorded all these works on this lovely instrument and they will appear together with the 6 Schubert songs, arranged by Mertz, and my own transcription of the 16 songs of Schumann's Dichterliebe on my next solo CD, which is a double CD. I'm now writing the very elaborate CD booklet and I expect the whole thing to be ready within 2 months.

I hope the whole world will buy my CD when it is finished, so I can use that money to finance the next project! (..sorry guys, I just had to say this, it is reality)

Fernando

[DianaZB]

Hi Fernando,
Very nice to hear you play again. The first instrument suits you well and of course the tone color is beautiful. Good instrument to play this music on and you tell a beautiful story while playing.
And the Barrios; Wow even more beautiful than a few years ago, so sensitive.
Success with finishing the booklet of the CD. You find here your 1st buyer of your newest CD.
So keep me posted.
Diana

[Reinier]

Hello Fernando,

A very fine performance.
A very interesting piece of Karel Craeyvanger, a dutch composer I didn't know of. And I always like to hear unknown pieces...
I'm looking forward to the other Craeyvanger piece and to your CD.

[Giuseppe Gasparini]

Hello, a great performance