R.I.P. Charles de Wolff

[Marc]

Charles de Wolff, former chief of the Netherlands Bach Society, died last Thursday at the age of 79.
As organist he was famous for his interpretations of J.S. Bach and Max Reger.

As conductor he had to struggle to survive in Naarden (hometown of the Bach Society) after the HIP-revolution in the 70s. De Wolff's style had developed itself to some 'in between' way of Bach playing, with fresh tempi but still large choirs and orchestras. In 1983 he decided to leave the Bach Society. Almost the entire choir left with him.

I attended many concerts by De Wolff in Groningen, where he was conductor of the Noord Nederlands Filharmonisch Orkest, during the 2nd half of the 80s. I can assure you that it wasn't a punishment to listen and watch to a noble performance of Bach's Matthäus or Johannes Passion with soloists like Barbara Schlick, Sylvia Schlüter, Kurt Equiluz and Max van Egmond!

Since a year or two, after my own organ rediscovery , I also realized that De Wolff was indeed very good on the organ, the instrument he loved so much. I cherish two nice organ discs with him, which were recorded in the late 60s and re-issued on the small cd-label Prestare. Unfortunately, they are very difficult to get outside the Netherlands.

Charles de Wolff was a fine musician.
May he rest in peace.

[pjme]

Hi Marc, greetings from Belgium.

I remember de Wolff quite clearly ( propably from radio broadcasts). Wasn't he involved in some important organ competition? Haarlem?

Peter

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

I was never a great admirer of this conductor, but the concerts with him I attended were always of a high professional level. And he meant quite a lot to the NNO. no doubt he will be busy in heaven with all those angelic choir members.

[Marc]

Hi Marc, greetings from Belgium.

I remember de Wolff quite clearly ( propably from radio broadcasts). Wasn't he involved in some important organ competition? Haarlem?

Peter

Quite possible. He won an important international organ competition in 1965, which was probably held in Haarlem. But I'm not entirely sure about that.
De Wolff could play almost anything, from baroque to modern music.

Here are some examples, taken from a rare disc with radio broadcast performances in the 60s and 70s, which is very difficult to get, especially outside the lower countries. I hope it's allowed and that mr. De Wolff won't blame me for doing this .... it's meant as an homage.

J.S. Bach: Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele BWV 654
http://www.mediafire.com/?3wljd3pxklf6l2p

Max Reger: Ach Gott, verlaß mich nicht (from op. 79b)
http://www.mediafire.com/?tf1b6hhect8s1hx

Max Reger: Jesu, meine Zuversicht (from op. 67)
http://www.mediafire.com/?9upfgxzn23nzmdx

György Ligeti: Volumina
http://www.mediafire.com/?wynm4pzyh9tsda5

[Marc]

Charles de Wolff in full action, playing Fantasie opus 46 of Max Reger on the Schnitger organ of the Michaëlskerk in Zwolle.

http://www.youtube.com/v/FD8VGQDTBQo

And here:

http://www.youtube.com/v/2bMn1z1hpys

De Wolff playing a Toccata of Dutch composer Anthon van der Horst, his teacher and precursor as conductor of the Netherlands Bach Society.

[pjme]

Thanks Marc - dankjewel!

Ik vond it op het internet:

9 augustus 2005
Jubileumconcert
Serie Orgelconcerten op dinsdag
Op dinsdag
Locatie Grote Kerk
Uitvoerende(n) Charles de Wolff
Programma
André Jolivet (1905-1974)
Mandala(in 1969 gecomponeerd in opdracht van de Schnitgerstichting te Zwolle; 1969 premiere te Zwolle)
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Ricercare uit 'Das Musikalische Opfer' (BWV 1079)
Johann Sebastian Bach
[2] Uit: 'Schübler Choräle': 'Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt walten' (BWV 647) (1)
'Wachet auf ruft uns die Stimme' (BWV 645)
Johann Sebastian Bach
Preludium en Fuga c-moll
Max Reger (1873-1916)
Fantasie en Fuga over B-A-C-H (opus 46)

I remember now that de Wolff premiered this work by Jolivet ( for the Schnitgerstichting . )

Peter

[Marc]

Thanks Marc - dankjewel!

Tot uw dienst!

Programma
André Jolivet (1905-1974)
Mandala(in 1969 gecomponeerd in opdracht van de Schnitgerstichting te Zwolle; 1969 premiere te Zwolle)
[....]
I remember now that de Wolff premiered this work by Jolivet ( for the Schnitgerstichting . )

Yes. He also premiered a lot of Messiaen for the Netherlands.
The Jolivet piece is also part of the above mentioned disc, although I think that it wasn't taken from the mastertape (gone lost?) but from a vinyl disc.
(For more info about the Jolivet premiere: PM sent.)

[Marc]

I was never a great admirer of this conductor, but the concerts with him I attended were always of a high professional level. And he meant quite a lot to the NNO. no doubt he will be busy in heaven with all those angelic choir members.

He was more happy behind the organ. But Anthon van der Horsted wanted De Wolff to succeed him in the Bach Society and De Wolff felt obliged to do so. But in his heart, he loved organ playing more than conducting, as he once admitted to one of the Bach Society board members.

[Coopmv]

So Jos Veldhoven is now leading the Netherlands Bach Society, right?  How long has he been in that position?

[prémont]

Thank you ,Marc, for these nice examples of Charles de Wolff´s artistry, displaying his virtuosity and eloquence at the organ. A great pity, that he did not get the opportunity to make more organ recordings. This is true of him as well as of a large number of other Dutch organists (Albert de Klerk, Piet van Egmond, Jan Jongpier, Wim van Beek just to mention a few) - the competition in Holland was and is too great, I suppose.