Cornelis Helmbreecker
Cornelis Helmbreecker
Genres: dutch, 17th century
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About Cornelis Helmbreecker
Cornelis sr Janszoon Helmbreecker or Helmbreker (1590 - 1654) was a Dutch organist and composer. From November 14, 1612 and until 1619 , he was city organist and bellist in Hoorn , succeeding Pieter Dircksz. from Purmereynde. We are quite knowledgeable about the terms of his appointment. This was negotiated with the Haarlem organist Philips Jansz. Van Velsen. He acted as a representative for the young Helmbreecker, sijne huysvrouwe sisters soon† In the appointment of Helmbreecker it is stated that, in case his uncle should die within the two years mentioned, Helmbreecker will be free to serve his time in Hoorn or to leave his service. Before the two years of service had expired, however, Philips van Velsen applied to the Leiden magistrate to have his nephew appointed organist of the Hooglandse Kerk. There a vacancy had arisen as a result of the death of Philips' son Jan. The petition expressly notes the following: Mr. Cornelis Jansz. Helmbreecker who was a disciple of Mr. Jan Pietersz., organist to Amsterdam . Helmbreecker was therefore a pupil of not the least organist, in particularJan Pieterszoon Sweelinck , the so-called organist maker. As an example of Helmbreecker's duties as city organist, we briefly summarize the contents of the instructions that the organist van Hoorn must sign when he is appointed. Helmbreecker undertakes in 1612 to play on the following occasions: at meals at the town hall of mayors , councilors and courts , as well as entrances of princes and lords (he then plays the harpsichord ), on all days of sermons before and after the service, and from mid-October to March 1, one hour each evening. We also know that he and carillonneur Lucas Lemmink complained to the mayors, vroedschap and churchwardens about the bad intonation and the horrible sound of the carillon of the Grote Kerk in Hoorn. In 1619 Helmbreecker came to Haarlem to assist his uncle, Philips van Velsen, as auxiliary organist and bell player at the Grote of Sint-Bavokerk . When Van Velsen died in 1625, Cornelis was appointed organist of this church. He held that position until his death in 1654 . Helmbreecker's advice with regard to organ building and restoration was obtained in places such as The Hague , Delft , 's-Hertogenbosch , Alkmaar and Leiden . That he was highly regarded as a composer is evident from the fact that the painting on the harpsichord in his house was carried out at the expense of the mayors. In his advice on organ building and restoration he could call on the support and judgment of the city master builder, poet and painter Salomon de Bray. All in all, few of Helmbreecker's compositions have survived.
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