BIOGRAPHY
After he finished his studies piano, church organ and choral conducting at the Dutch Institute for Church Music in Utrecht, (drs.) Hans Bakker (b. 1945) worked as a teacher at two music schools in the Netherlands. He also conducted two choirs and was active in the improvisational music scene. His career in music was followed by the study of Sanskrit. After obtaining his master's degree at the University of Amsterdam, he returned to music, becoming completely occupied by teaching at Globe Center for Art and Culture in the city of Hilversum.
Initially, composing was only a minor occupation next to Bakker's other work. Since 1997 it became a daily activity. He wrote a great number of chamber music works and many choir compositions. He also composed works for orchestra and pieces for carillon, the violin concerto KAIROS - in commission - and 14 organ works most recently in 2021.
His first album THE UNNAMED SOURCE (2010) features moving performances by the Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra under conductor Vit Micka and an astounding array of its instrumentalists.
Later on Bakker’s works have been featured on the Navona releases SLICES (2012), SEEKING & FINDING (2012) with seven choral works performed by the Kühn Choir Prague. DANCES OF ETERNITY (2013) with two orchestral works: Canzona L’altra Persona and Canzona II Tribute to the Sun was followed by the chamber works compilation PINNACLE (2016).
The next release was duo album LINES TO INFINITY (2017) with composer Peter Greve, which revolves around scores for piano, cello, clarinet and flute. Other releases include TOMORROW'S Air (2017), which shows that classical music can hit a greater audience; the compilation album LEGENDS & LIGHT (2018), including Canzona III Hidden in Her Light for orchestra & FIGMENTS vol. II, including Tiento I & II for guitar solo.
The compilation CD VOICES of EARTH and AIR, Vol. 3 (2020) contains three choral works: Rat for TTBB and SATB; and Ich habe den Menschen gesehen (SATB).
His last full album is SOURCE GROUND (2022), including Ananke for orchestra: https://www.navonarecords.com/catalog/nv6452/
This work is also track 10 on the compilation SPARKS: EYE OF LONDON by the London Symphony Orchestra under Miran Vaupotic, which contains an unusual compilation of symphonic fanfares: https://www.navonarecords.com/catalog/nv6454/ You can find and listen to these works on all major distribution platforms.
A highlight was the world premiere of Exposure by the Keuris Ensemble. It took place on November 19, 2022 in Amersfoort, as part of the project Mondriaan 150, with 7 works of art linked to 7 pieces of music, for the exhibition Unlimited in the Mondriaanhuis. www.mondriaanhuis.nl/nl/zien-en-doen/tentoonstellingen/onbegrensd
About his compositions: “Since 1997 the source of my music started to flow after I became acquainted with the writings of the German painter Joseph Anton Schneiderfranken, also known as Bô Yin Râ. Leonard Bernstein said: "Music can name the unnameable and communicate the unknowable." My music wants to act as an aide-memoire for the listener to tune in to that, but first of all it wants to be enjoyed.
https://hansbakker.musicaneo.com/ www.bo-yin-ra-the-teaching.com https://www.universaledition.com/en/Contacts/Hans-Bakker/