Welcome to Music in the Cathrien

This season we offer you again a very varied and high-quality program with a large contribution from our own Collegium Vocale (CVE) and Instrumentale (CIE) Eindhoven incl. Ruud Huijbregts.

Beiaardconcerten

Every month the concert of the first Saturday from 2.25 pm is “inaugurated” with a play on the Philips carillon by Stadsbeiaardier Rosemarie Seuntiëns. The carillonneur always manages to put together the music for the carillon bells in such a way that the program perfectly matches the theme of the subsequent concert. The variety from ancient to modern music makes this concert series interesting. It is unique in the Netherlands that bell music from the tower can also be heard in the church through a sophisticated audio system. This also makes it possible to integrate carillon playing into an organ concert or to combine it with other music in the church.

The chamber music concerts usually take place in the apse of the church (behind the old altar). Here, the intimacy of this music comes into its own, while the listeners can take a seat around the performers. We often use our own harpsichord and the beautiful chest organ.

In the Netherlands, around 1.7 million people sing in a choir, professionally or as an amateur. This makes the Netherlands one of the top countries with the highest density, only America and Austria score higher. During the Easter season we notice this, among other things, in the Matthew Passion, which is never performed as much as in our country. While the churches are closing and church choirs are being raised or get merged, more and more choirs are emerging outside the church and you can hear influences from pop, jazz and world music.

What motivates such a large group of people to go a rehearsal every week? Singing makes you aware of your body, your state of mind and sets you in motion. In a choir, singers must tune into each other, listen to each other, communicate, collaborate, and all this is not without emotions. Actually quite a job, but what a pleasure it can give! Often also because we can forget the daily worries and hectic moments. And therein the singer finds the listener of Music in the Cathrien. Because it also comes to enjoy the music and the wonderful ensemble play of people on the Saturday afternoon in peace.

We are proud that in the coming season we can listen to several choirs from our Eindhoven region on the third Saturday.

We can look forward to an exciting new organ season, in which the large Verschueren organ of the Cathrien naturally plays the leading role. This instrument manages to surprise us time and again by its almost infinite and unexpected sound possibilities and monumentality.

Again, we can welcome prominent soloists.

This season, cultural historian Hans Strootman will again give a number of introductions (see agenda). We would like to draw your attention to the site www.hansstrootmanlezingen.nl, where information can be found and where the introductions can also be heard.