Three Meditations, op. 52 (1968)

Jan Koetsier (1911–2006) — Three Meditations, op. 52 (1968) for organ

Meditation I: Adagio e piano
Meditation II: Andante e piano
Meditation III: Andantino e piano
Reminiscence (Lento e pianissimo)

Dutch composer Jan Koetsier (1911–2006) was born in Amsterdam, though from 1950 lived and worked in Germany where he taught, conducted, and composed. Koetsier wrote many pieces in all genres, though he is best known for his numerous chamber works for brass instruments, many of which are standards of the literature.

Koetsier wrote many compositions for organ combined with other (usually brass) instruments. He composed only two organ solo works: this set of meditations and an earlier collection of preludes and fugues. “Three Meditations” was composed in 1968 and is “dedicated in adoration to ‘the Mother’ of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry, India, for her ninetieth birthday.” “The Mother” (1878–1973) of the ashram was a French-born pianist, artist, and writer who became a student of the Indian mystic Sri Aurobindo (1872–1950). In 1926 she founded the ashram in South India and directed it for 50 years as it grew into a large spiritual community with many visitors from around the world (including Koetsier). “The Mother” played the organ herself (often performing and recording extended spiritual improvisations). In Koetsier’s piece, the three mystical meditations are followed by a short “reminiscence,” which briefly recalls the main themes of the previous meditations.

Published by Donemus (http://www.donemus.nl)