One of the “founding fathers” of the early music movement, Sigiswald Kuijken played a leading role in pioneering the re-establishment of Baroque violin playing techniques.
In 1972 he founded La Petite Bande, one of the first period instrument orchestras, an ensemble that went on to perform world-wide and make an impressive series of recordings that is still in progress.
In addition Kuijken frequently guest conducts other period instrument orchestras, among them the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, whose debut concert he directed in 1986.
Also active as a chamber musician, Kuijken often collaborates with his brothers, the gamba player Wieland and the flautist Barthold. His list of pupils is extensive and distinguished and, following 25 years at the Hague Conservatory, he continues to teach at Brussels Conservatory.
His long association with the music of Bach made Kuijken a natural candidate to interview for this special Bach edition of Goldberg.
Brian Robins travelled to his home just north of Brussels, where he had the privilege of enjoying the warm hospitality of Sigiswald Kuijken and his wife Marleen Thiers, a viola player with La Petite Bande.
Now 60, Kuijken retains a zest for life and enthusiasm for a wide range of topics that would shame many half his age, but eventually the conversation settled down to the appointed subject. |
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