Jacques van Oortmerssen, Dutch organist, composer and conductor, Died at 65

  Music

Jacques van Oortmerssen was born on the June 28, 1950, in Heemstede, and died on November 22, 2015.

He was a Dutch pianist, organist, conductor and composer.

Jacques studied at the Rotterdam Conservatory organ with André Verwoerd and piano with Elly Salomé.

He continued his organ studies with Marie-Claire Alain in Paris and received in 1976 the “Prix d ‘Excellence’.

In 1977, Jacques won the first prize of the National Improvisation Competition in Bolsward and the second prize in the Tournemire competition of St Albans (England).

He was a professor at the Conservatory organ of Amsterdam in 1979.

Jacques succeeded Gustav Leonhardt as Organist Titulaire of the Walloon Church in Amsterdam, where HIS famous Christian Müller organ from 1734 played.

Jacques van Oortmerssen had also been a popular guest lecturer at universities and conservatories throughout the world.

As an artist Oortmerssen performed in many international festivals such as the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall in London, (England), the Prague Spring Festival (Czech Republic), the Bach festival in the St. Thomas Church in Leipzig (Germany) and the City of London Festival (England).

Jacques also preformed in many European countries also occurred in Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Mexico, the United States, Canada, South Africa and Russia.

Jacques van Oortmerssen passed away at 65 years old.