Kwam van Godswege

In 2013 a new hymnal was introduced for use in the PKN (Protestant Churches) of the Netherlands.

Many new hymns were added to the earlier edition of 1973, about three hundred and many other did not make the cut and were removed for various reasons. Texts were renewed and new melodies chosen from different countries and Dutch poets and composers.

So in addition to my small series of preludes to the Psalms I intend to do a similar series but this time on hymns and preludes. The idea is the same: present contemporary preludes to hymns, new or other, by Dutch composers. As the hymn melodies will not always be known to the audience on the concert hall the order is now reversed: the hymn is played once or twice and then the prelude written to it, to give listeners unfamiliar with the hymn a chance to get aquainted with it first.

Albert de Klerk (1917-1998) was renowned as organist of the famous Müller-organ at St.-Bavo, Haarlem). His music is characterised by chamber-music intimacy, counterpoint, classical forms and romantic colours.

For the understanding of this style, knowledge of the organ at St.-Jozef, Haarlem, built by Adema in 1917 and played by De Klerk since 1933, is indispensable.

When composing organ works based on songs (Gregorian hymns, Flemish Christmas carols, psalms and other songs as published in the Liedboek voor de Kerken) De Klerk prefers the variation form.

The prelude he wrote to this Dutch hymn consists of four small parts: Thema, Bicinium, Siciliano and Finale; all in an ancient style with modern influences.