Early in the morning, the Oude Kerk is a meditative oasis in the city. Since 2017, on every first Friday of the month at 8 a.m., when the rising sun casts its light through the church’s towering windows and the neighbourhood slowly wakes up, visitors can enjoy the Silence music programme. The concerts celebrate the acoustics and space of the Oude Kerk, which invites mostly young, experimental musicians. There are no fixed seats; visitors are welcome to walk around and discover what the music sounds like in different places in the church.
Silence #25 was a contemporary requiem that echoed various musical traditions. For instance, from the old Catholic musical tradition, the Gregorian 'Dies Irae' and 'Lux Aeterna' was performed, as well as Psalm 22, 5 and 121 by Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck (1562-1621). Three compositions by Estonian composer Arvo Pärt (1935) were also played: 'Es sang vor langen Jahren', 'Wallfahrtslied' and 'My heart is in the Highlands' - all contemporary reflections on memory and longing.

Materials

Instruments, organ pipes

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