Some Thoughts on Playing the Organ by Willem Tanke: Copy Projects

06/12/2017

Copy Projects

Willem Tanke has three main project for the next years:

1. making recordings of organ works by J.S. Bach on instruments of great value. See Dancing Bach on the organ

2. making new recordings of Olivier Messiaen's complete organ works

Tanke's 8 CD-box with Messiaen's complete organ works, recorded in 1994, has been critically acclaimed and considerably contributed to his reputation as a leading Messiaen interpreter. However, these recordings were made rather casually on a few consecutive evenings and with two edits only. New audio and video recordings on some of the most suitable instruments will have a great added value.

3. developing his musical language which brings together Western classical, world music, avant-jazz and avant-pop musicians

2017 - present: Imagining the music of the future

2017: Olivier Messiaen and the Cave of Forgotten Sounds for organ solo

2016: The Enchanted Desert for organ, flute and percussion, including dance and performance

2007 - present: Re-contextualizing Messiaen

2007 Super Audio CD Meditations for a lent

2006 Super Audio CD Two Wind Fantasies (with Max Reger - Variationen und Fuge fis-moll op. 73)

2005 CD Imaginary Day - 21 Fantasies for organ

2001 CD My friend the Indian and other pieces

2000 CD Variations for organ, keyboards and processors with Vidna Obmana

About

As a classical organist I have been a prominent Messiaen and Reger interpreter since the '90s. Nowadays Bach interpretation is my main classical project. This is represented by my research "Dancing Bach on the organ". At the same time, as an improviser and a performing composer, I have been creating a new musical language which brings together musicians with avant-jazz, avant-pop, Western classical and traditional African and Asian backgrounds. I now relate this to my Bach interpretation.