Hendrik Bouman
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Hendrik ("Henk") Bouman (born in 1951) is a Dutch virtuoso harpsichordist, pianist, fortepianist, conductor and prolific contemporary composer of music in the baroque and 18th century classical idioms. His basso continuo realisations and his compositions have become a reference in the field of baroque and classical music.
He studied at the Sweelinck Conservatory in Amsterdam with Ton Koopman. As original harpsichordist of Musica Antiqua Köln (1976-1983) he made four world tours and numerous recordings as basso continuo player, duo partner and soloist for European radio stations and DGG Archiv, of which several recordings have been awarded the highest distinctions.
Hendrik Bouman made his conducting debut in the world première of the Mass by Alain Pièrard in the Basilique de Notre Dame, Montréal Canada in 1985. The following year he founded the period orchestra Les Nations de Montréal which he directed in 1987 in the world première (20th century) of the opera Amadis de Gaulle for the Tricentenary of Lully with soloists and choir of the Atélier de l'Opéra de l'Université Laval, which was broadcasted 'live' by Radio Canada International and subsequently in France, Switzerland and Belgium.
He made his American conducting debut leading the Portland Baroque Orchestra and Choir in performances of Handel's The Messiah in 1990.
His solo world première debut as composer-performer of baroque music took place in South Africa in 1994; since 1999 in Europe and Canada he has led his ensemble Concerto Felice in world premières and a recording (CBC/Radio Canada) of his chamber and orchestral compositions.
Hendrik Bouman has composed 69 works in baroque and 18th century classical idioms for: solo instrument - harpsichord, piano, organ, clavichord, cello solo and violin solo; chamber music - quartets, trios and sonatas; orchestral works - symphony, ouverture and suite, harpsichord concerto, recorder concerto; vocal - arias (opera).
His composition HRH Princess Diana's Ground for the "Queen of Hearts" was chosen for a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales, by CBCTV News' and broadcast on September 3, 1997. Menuet du Matin which Hendrik dedicated to ZKH Prins Willem Alexander ZKH Prins Willem Alexander was chosen as a theme for Radio Canada's daily classical music program "Les Bonheurs de Sophie" in September 1998.
World premières of 43 of his compositions: South Africa 1994; India 1996/2001; Canada 1994/96/97/98/99/2004 (8 'live' recordings for CBC/Radio Canada); France 2001/02/03 ('live' recording for Radio France of his improvisations and two compositions in the Museum of the Cité de la Musique, Paris on the 1647 Ruckers-Taskin harpsichord, broadcast Easter Sunday 2003).
In addition, he has made 20 transcriptions of works by François Couperin, Jean-Philippe Rameau, Georg Philipp Telemann, and by J.S. Bach including two Brandenburg Concerti in a version for two harpsichords and an orchestration of his Italian Concerto, several of which he premièred in Canada 1989, Italy 1991 and Belgium 2002.
Hendrik Bouman's double CD Little Notebook for Anna of his baroque and classical compositions for harpsichord and piano, which he dedicated to his muse Anna, received a Socan Foundation award (Canada) 'in 1998. He was recipient of grants for world premières of his work by the provincial governments of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island in Canada.
Festival director of Rendez-vous con Hendrik Bouman (Italy 1992), the Halifax 1749 Baroque Festival (Nova Scotia 1999) and Baroque by the Sea (Prince Edward Island 1999/2004) dedicated to the performance of contemporary baroque and classical composition.
In addition to his many recordings for DGG Archiv, he has also recorded for EMI, REM/Radio Canada, Baroque Nouveau. Several CDs of Hendrik Bouman in recital on harpsichord and fortepiano, presenting both his solo compositions as well as some of his favourite repertoire of the great masters, are in preparation with The Classical Muse for release in Spring 2005. Schott has published some of Bouman's basso continuo realisations.
He frequently performs his compositions on harpsichords he designed and built (1995/98/2004). In 2004 he completed the building of a clavichord (after Hubert 1787).
Former professor at Concordia University in Montréal and Laval University in Québec, he has given masterclasses, workshops and lecture demonstrations in interpretation, improvisation and composition in Europe, Canada, USA, India and South America.
An avid sailor and cartoonist, Hendrik Bouman enjoys travelling with his Anna and their children.