The Netherlands

The musical history of the Netherlands is not filled with names of world popular composers but its musical life is many-sided and of the highest level. The Amsterdam Concertgebouw and its Orchestra are top class institutions since the end of the 19^th century, and so is the National Opera and Ballet since the 1990s. Dutch musicians (Leonhardt, Brüggen) were pioneers in the field of historical performing practice. Foreign composers visited the country and left their traces behind. There is a wealth of fine organs and carillons. A surprising number of small museums and monuments shed light on the contemporary popular music.

The amount of data is relatively large; collecting it was facilitated by the fact that the country is the present author’s homeland, thus bringing more objects and informants within reach.