Evening music: Wibren Jonkers
Martinikerk
Martinikerkhof 3, 9712 JG GroningenThis Avondmuziek (Evening Music) concert features a rich selection of organ music performed on both the choir organ and the main organ of the Martinikerk. The evening opens on the choir organ with a suite by Guillaume-Gabriel Nivers, offering a taste of 17th-century French style through movements like Prélude, Fugue, Duo, Récit de Cornet, and Plein Jeu. Next comes a charming trio of pieces from Joseph Haydn’s Flötenuhrstücke, originally written for musical clocks, bringing a Classical elegance with tempos ranging from Allegro ma non troppo to Presto.
The focus then shifts to the grand main organ with a dramatic Praeludium in G minor by Vincent Lübeck. This is followed by four different settings of the chorale Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend by Johann Sebastian Bach, each taken from a different collection and showing Bach’s inventive variation in harmony and texture. The program continues with Paul Hindemith’s vibrant Sonata II, structured in three contrasting movements—from lively to lyrical to an upbeat fugue. The concert closes with Jan Brandts Buys’ serene chorale Nun ruhen alle Wälder, providing a peaceful ending to the evening.