Top European organist will perform in Ames Sunday
October 24, 1997
Residents of the Netherlands are a rarity to places like Ames. This weekend, however, Netherlands native Dorothy de Rooij will be coming across the ocean for an organ recital.
De Rooij is currently known to be one of the top organists in Europe, and according to Iowa State organ professor Lynn Ziegler, her reputation is accurate.
“She is such a strong player,” Ziegler said. “There is a lot of energy and power in her playing.”
Because of de Rooij’s knowledge of different styles of organ music, she has earned honor and prestige in organ circles.
De Rooij is currently a professor of organ at the Conservatory of Music in Maastricht and serves as organist at the Augustinian Church in Eindhoven.
Appearing frequently on radio and television, de Rooij has played with many orchestras in addition to her solo recitals.
She also has performed at international festivals and has recorded numerous CDs.
She has presented master classes throughout the world that deal with Spanish and Portuguese organ music and is an expert in the areas of Dutch and Iberian organ music.
De Rooij will be visiting Iowa State this weekend to present a workshop focusing on these particular styles titled “The organ music of the 16th and 17th centuries in the Netherlands and its relationship to Iberian music.” The workshop will be held on Sunday at 3 p.m. in the Music Hall Recital Hall.
Sunday night’s recital will include works from Spanish composers such as Sao Lorenco and Dutch composers such as Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck and Abraham van den Kerckhoven, Ziegler said.
The final piece on the program will be J.S. Bach’s famous “Fantasia and Fugue in g minor.”
With the diverse program and the interesting workshop topic, Ziegler anticipates an exciting weekend just in time for homecoming.
“She’s one of the best people to play the organ we have ever had,” Ziegler said. “She can handle the instrument we have.”
Admission for the workshop is $10 and $6 for the recital; however, both events will be free to Iowa State students. Tickets will be available at the door.
