HENDRIK (Henk) BOUMAN Biography - COMPOSER (BAROQUE STYLE), VIRTUOSO HARPSICHORDIST, FORTEPIANIST, CONDUCTOR, PERIOD IMPROVISOR

For over 30 years Hendrik Bouman has counted among the most innovative and respected specialists of early music. Prolific composer of music written in the baroque and classical styles prevalent in 17th and 18th Century Italy, France, Germany, England and Spain, he has played a critical role in integrating contemporary period composition and free improvisation in historical style into the early music movement. His innovative compositions and improvisations, as well as his original basso continuo realisations and transcriptions of historic repertoire, have become a reference in the field of early music today.

Originally from Holland, Hendrik Bouman, before completing his studies with Ton Koopman in Amsterdam, began his career as the original harpsichordist of Musica Antiqua Köln (1976–83) by recording, with the ensemble, its award-winning first record on EMI Reflex. He rapidly acquired a reputation as a ‘legendary basso continuo artist and soloist’ with his many award-winning recordings for DGG/Archiv and world tours in Asia, India, North America and South America under the auspices of the Goethe Institute. Together with his colleagues, Hajo Bäss, Reinhard Goebel, Wilbert Hazelzet and Jaap ter Linden, Hendrik Bouman set new standards of baroque performance worldwide.

As virtuoso soloist on both the harpsichord and fortepiano, Hendrik Bouman, is invited to give recitals in Europe, Canada, USA, South Africa and India. He has played notably in the Holland Festival, Utrecht Early Music Festival, Festival de Besançon, Festival of the City of London, Festival of Perth, Schwetzinger Festival, Berlin Bachtage, Festival de Wallonie, Festival Mozart de l'Opéra de Montréal, Musica e Poesia, Milano, and Les Vendredis de Versailles. Many of his recitals were recorded by European and Canadian radio and television broadcasters.

During his career Hendrik Bouman has appeared in duo with renowned singers: Nancy Argenta, Max van Egmond, Suzie LeBlanc, Carolyn Watkinson, and instrumental soloists: Hajo Bäss, Reinhard Goebel, Wilbert Hazelzet, Marie Leonhardt, Jaap ter Linden, Susie Napper, Simon Standage. He has also collaborated with renowned conductors Ivan Fischer and Philippe Herreweghe.

After a fulfilling role as conductor, notably of his period orchestra Les Nations de Montréal, Bouman immersed himself in the art of period composition which he dedicates to his wife and muse Anna. As of 2007, he has composed over 80 works (for solo instruments, chamber and orchestral formations, baroque theatre), the majority of which have been premiered in solo recitals and with his ensembles Baroque SaMuse and Concerto Felice in Europe, Canada, India and South Africa.

Recitals and concerts entirely dedicated to his baroque and classical compositions, including many premieres, have been broadcasted by Radio Canada / CBC, CBCTV and ATV, as well as fifteen artist portraits featuring Hendrik Bouman as innovative performer, baroque composer and instrument builder.

At the invitation of Radio Canada Hendrik Bouman first introduced improvisation in baroque style during his harpsichord recital in the Festival Domaine Forget in 1993. Ten years later Radio France/France Musiques for its Easter programme, broadcasted his recital of period improvisations which he played on the 1646 Ruckers-Taskin harpsichord in the museum of La Cité de la Musique in Paris.

In September 1997 his composition HRH Princess Diana's Ground, set to images of the Princess's visit to Canada, was broadcasted as tribute to the Princess on CBCTV Evening News. In the same month his Menuet de Matin dedicated to HRH Prince Willem Alexander of the Netherlands, was chosen as a theme for Radio Canada.

Hendrik Bouman received many prizes for his recordings with DGG Archiv, EMI, REM/Radio Canada, Baroque-Nouveau: Edison Prize (Netherlands), Deutscher Schallplattenpreis (Germany), Le Grand Prix National du Disque, several Diapason d’Or, Répertoire Recommandé (Paris), Early Music Award (London) and the career Prize for Young Artists from the Federal State of North-Rhine Westfalia. He was recipient of the Canadian composers' SOCAN Foundation's CD program for the distribution to radio-broadcasters world-wide of his widely acclaimed CDs Little Notebook for Anna I & II on which he plays his solo keyboard compositions, and of grants from Maritimes Canada, Québec and France for his innovative work as composer-performer of period music.

Former professor of harpsichord at Concordia University and Laval University in Québec, Hendrik Bouman is a keen and enthusiastic teacher and has given specialized workshops in Europe, North and South America, and India. In his teaching of improvisational and compositional skills, he casts a new light on the authentic interpretation of historical scores.

Over the years, Hendrik Bouman has designed and constructed several of his harpsichords and has built a clavichord after Hubert.

Having lived in various parts of the world, Hendrik Bouman and his family recently settled in Oxford, England. An avid sailor, he has cruised aboard a sailing catamaran on the Mediterranean for a year with his wife, their two children, dog, budgie and his harpsichord. During his travels he enjoys sketching, drawing cartoons and learning languages.



	"A fantastic harpsichordist and a fantastic 21st Century baroque composer." - Susie Napper, Artistic Director of the International Festival Montréal Baroque, 2007 "I was glad the Festival was able to accommodate your quite wonderful contributions yesterday. What you have done so far has been excellent -- the concerts you've put on, and this event." - Bruce Haynes, Author of "The End of Early Music", Oxford University Press [Reference: Festival Montréal Baroque 2007; 12 premieres in the 2006-07 season] "His reputation as continuo player is legendary in North America & Europe. As a soloist he is no less impressive, and he maintains this consistency on most keyboard instruments." - Christopher Jackson, Dean of Fine Arts Concordia University, Montréal 2004 "As a performer and a contemporary baroque composer, Hendrik is an extremely talented man. He could be taken for one of the Masters." - Fen Watkin, Order of Canada, [for musical contribution] quoted in The Guardian, Charlottetown, Canada, 2004 "Hendrik Bouman... your music [improvisations] could just as well be part of the great Baroque repertoire." - Anne Monteron, Radio France / France Musiques, Paris, Easter 2003 "...that extraordinary harpsichordist Hendrik Bouman, whom we have known for many years with Reinhard Goebel [Musica Antiqua Köln]." - Diapason, Paris, April 1990
For over 30 years Hendrik Bouman has counted among the most innovative and respected specialists of early music. Prolific composer of music written in the baroque and classical styles prevalent in 17th and 18th Century Italy, France, Germany, England and Spain, he has played a critical role in integrating contemporary period composition and free improvisation in historical style into the early music movement. His innovative compositions and improvisations, as well as his original basso continuo realisations and transcriptions of historic repertoire, have become a reference in the field of early music today. Originally from Holland, Hendrik Bouman, before completing his studies with Ton Koopman in Amsterdam, began his career as the original harpsichordist of Musica Antiqua Köln (1976–83) by recording, with the ensemble, its award-winning first record on EMI Reflex. He rapidly acquired a reputation as a ‘legendary basso continuo artist and soloist’ with his many award-winning recordings for DGG/Archiv and world tours in Asia, India, North America and South America under the auspices of the Goethe Institute. Together with his colleagues, Hajo Bäss, Reinhard Goebel, Wilbert Hazelzet and Jaap ter Linden, Hendrik Bouman set new standards of baroque performance worldwide. As virtuoso soloist on both the harpsichord and fortepiano, Hendrik Bouman, is invited to give recitals in Europe, Canada, USA, South Africa and India. He has played notably in the Holland Festival, Utrecht Early Music Festival, Festival de Besançon, Festival of the City of London, Festival of Perth, Schwetzinger Festival, Berlin Bachtage, Festival de Wallonie, Festival Mozart de l'Opéra de Montréal, Musica e Poesia, Milano, and Les Vendredis de Versailles. Many of his recitals were recorded by European and Canadian radio and television broadcasters. During his career Hendrik Bouman has appeared in duo with renowned singers: Nancy Argenta, Max van Egmond, Suzie LeBlanc, Carolyn Watkinson, and instrumental soloists: Hajo Bäss, Reinhard Goebel, Wilbert Hazelzet, Marie Leonhardt, Jaap ter Linden, Susie Napper, Simon Standage. He has also collaborated with renowned conductors Ivan Fischer and Philippe Herreweghe. After a fulfilling role as conductor, notably of his period orchestra Les Nations de Montréal, Bouman immersed himself in the art of period composition which he dedicates to his wife and muse Anna. As of 2007, he has composed over 80 works (for solo instruments, chamber and orchestral formations, baroque theatre), the majority of which have been premiered in solo recitals and with his ensembles Baroque SaMuse and Concerto Felice in Europe, Canada, India and South Africa. Recitals and concerts entirely dedicated to his baroque and classical compositions, including many premieres, have been broadcasted by Radio Canada / CBC, CBCTV and ATV, as well as fifteen artist portraits featuring Hendrik Bouman as innovative performer, baroque composer and instrument builder. At the invitation of Radio Canada Hendrik Bouman first introduced improvisation in baroque style during his harpsichord recital in the Festival Domaine Forget in 1993. Ten years later Radio France/France Musiques for its Easter programme, broadcasted his recital of period improvisations which he played on the 1646 Ruckers-Taskin harpsichord in the museum of La Cité de la Musique in Paris. In September 1997 his composition HRH Princess Diana's Ground, set to images of the Princess's visit to Canada, was broadcasted as tribute to the Princess on CBCTV Evening News. In the same month his Menuet de Matin dedicated to HRH Prince Willem Alexander of the Netherlands, was chosen as a theme for Radio Canada. Hendrik Bouman received many prizes for his recordings with DGG Archiv, EMI, REM/Radio Canada, Baroque-Nouveau: Edison Prize (Netherlands), Deutscher Schallplattenpreis (Germany), Le Grand Prix National du Disque, several Diapason d’Or, Répertoire Recommandé (Paris), Early Music Award (London) and the career Prize for Young Artists from the Federal State of North-Rhine Westfalia. He was recipient of the Canadian composers' SOCAN Foundation's CD program for the distribution to radio-broadcasters world-wide of his widely acclaimed CDs Little Notebook for Anna I & II on which he plays his solo keyboard compositions, and of grants from Maritimes Canada, Québec and France for his innovative work as composer-performer of period music. Former professor of harpsichord at Concordia University and Laval University in Québec, Hendrik Bouman is a keen and enthusiastic teacher and has given specialized workshops in Europe, North and South America, and India. In his teaching of improvisational and compositional skills, he casts a new light on the authentic interpretation of historical scores. Over the years, Hendrik Bouman has designed and constructed several of his harpsichords and has built a clavichord after Hubert. Having lived in various parts of the world, Hendrik Bouman and his family recently settled in Oxford, England. An avid sailor, he has cruised aboard a sailing catamaran on the Mediterranean for a year with his wife, their two children, dog, budgie and his harpsichord. During his travels he enjoys sketching, drawing cartoons and learning languages. Little Bach Track
Music & partition: "Little Bach Track" - CD Little Notebook for Anna I, composed and performed by Hendrik Bouman on a harpsichord of his own design and make. Artist Photos by his Anna.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ©1993-2007 Hendrik Bouman ©2007 babotikaNet