Merck toch hoe sterck

"Merck toch hoe sterck" from "Gedenk-clanck 76: Ode aan Adrianus Valerius (1575-1625)"

(Drie oud-nederlandse liederen bewerkt voor orgel, aansluitend bij de klanken van Valerius' tijd en de onze.)

Three old melodies from the low countries set for the organ: Sounds from the days of Valerius and from the 20th century.

by Piet Kee.

About ten days ago I posted a piece which, as I mentioned, "came to me by accident", while looking for a different piece with a similar title, by a composer with a similar name. Now we have the other half of the story. The correct piece, by the correct composer, did arrive as promised, and to make things even better, THIS one is in Standard Notation... and very beautifully edited.

The song comes from the days when the Netherlands were fighting to be freed from Spanish oppression. After establishing the Theme, we then have an extended Variation in modern style. At appropriate moments, you can "Hear the Trumpets", just as called for by the Lyrics of the old song.

I first encountered this piece on a beautiful documentary (DVD + CD) about the historic Organs of Alkmaar in the Netherlands, by Fugue State Films in the UK. It is currently out of stock at the publisher, but I was able to find a copy at "La Boîte à Musique" in Belgium.
https://laboiteamusique.eu/brand/fugue-state-films

Fugue State Films has also produced a beautiful documentary on the Martinikerk Organ in Groningen, available at their website or through http://www.boeijengamusic.com in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands.

Performed from a hand-crafted MIDi file using the Billerbeck Organ Sample Set from Sonus Paradisi. Enjoy!