RECENSIES

I'm not thinking about retirement yet.
01/2020 • TOM - Joost van Beek

Whether he is behind an organ or harpsichord or conducting his choir and orchestra, the passion for sound is still splashing with 75-year-old Ton Koopman.
10/2019 • NRC - Joost Galema

I don't know any bad pieces by Bach.
I always learn something new, even about Bach.
10/2019 • Het Parool - ERIK VOERMANS

Willst du dein Herz mir schenken - Ton Koopman / Tini Mathot / Klaus Mertens/ Stretto
"Willst du dein Herz mir donate", the particularly beautiful Anniversary album by and for Ton Koopman, Tini Mathot and Klaus Mertens, on the Challenge Classics label.
06/2019 • Stretto - Michel Dutrieue

Kerstspel - Nieuw Vocaal Amsterdam / Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra / Ton Koopman / Kerk & Leven
This catchy CD should encourage every parish in Flanders to make Christmas time also musically attractive. In the dark days of December, this recording of beautiful traditional Christmas songs in the vernacular is simply a bright spot.
12/2017 • Kerk & Leven - JC

Kerstspel - Nieuw Vocaal Amsterdam / Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra / Ton Koopman / NRC
A choir can be so much more than singing.
During Kerstspel all 330 children of Nieuw Vocaal Amsterdam are on stage at the same time.
12/2017 • NRC Handelsblad - Joost Galema

Peasant Wedding & Toy Symphony - Ton Koopman / Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra / Kerk & Leven
Mozart was able to improvise tremendously and continued to play, even for hours, after concerts. Challenge Records released a new edition of such works, which Ton Koopman recorded with the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra and Tini Mathot on the keyboard about ten years ago.
12/2017 • Kerk & Leven - JC

Kerstspel - Nieuw Vocaal Amsterdam / Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra / Ton Koopman / Kerk & Leven
The artistic management of NVA, with pride proudly announces that they already have 330 pupils in various roles - from little sheep to star, from angel to Bethlehem citizen, shepherds and master angels ... on stage and that they want to participate every year! Add to that a fantastic storyteller with the Christmas story from Mary's point of view, three soloists (Gabriel, Mary and Joseph) and also the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra under the direction of Ton Koopman himself, and you get an amazing Christmas play. Without a doubt a golden recording!
11/2017 • Kerk & Leven - Jo Cornille

Kerstspel - Nieuw Vocaal Amsterdam / Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra / Ton Koopman / Stretto
Impressive Christmas play by Nieuw Vocaal Amsterdam and the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, lead by Ton Koopman
11/2017 • Stretto - Michel Dutrieue

So many special CDs, Ton Koopman gets the Edison Oeuvre Award for it. The baroque conductor chooses the recordings that have inspired him the most.
11/2017 • De Volkskrant - MERLIJN KERKHOF

Kerstspel - Nieuw Vocaal Amsterdam / Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra / Ton Koopman / Klassieke Zaken
What Ton Koopman, Nieuw Vocaal Amsterdam and the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra do on their CD Kerstspel is traditional, but at the same time innovative.
11/2017 • Klassieke Zaken - Gerard Scheltens

Peasant Wedding & Toy Symphony - Ton Koopman / Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra / Klassiek Centraal
Beautiful sound recording, musical composition perfectly matched with the Stein pianoforte from 1803, played by Tini Mathot.
10/2017 • Klassiek Centraal - Veerle Deknopper

Peasant Wedding & Toy Symphony - Ton Koopman / Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra / Kerk & Leven
Light, entertaining music
09/2017 • Kerk & Leven - Jo Cornille

Latin Church Music Vol. 1 - Ton Koopman / Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir / Fanfare Magazine
If you don’t already have Koopman’s masses and Magnificat, here’s your chance to correct that deficiency.
07/2017 • Fanfare Magazine - George Chien

Peasant Wedding & Toy Symphony - Ton Koopman / Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra / Pizzicato
The carefully prepared, firm interpretations are pleasing and fit the nice, entertaining program
07/2017 • Pizzicato - Remy Franck

Ton Koopman / Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra/ AVROTROS
CD of the week: Two Mozarts by the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra
06/2017 • AVROTROS -

‘Tu fedel? Tu costante?’ HWV 171a and other Italian cantatas

‘Tu fedel? Tu costante?’ HWV 171a and other Italian cantatas - Ton Koopman / Gramophone
A prime selling point here is the premiere recording of an early version of the soprano cantata Tu fedel? Tu costante?, HWV171a, unearthed in Ton Koopman’s private manuscript collection.
03/2017 • Gramophone - Richard Wigmore

‘Tu fedel? Tu costante?’ HWV 171a and other Italian cantatas - Ton Koopman / Musica dei Bonum
Koopman's recording is very important because of the repertoire: one first recording and some other pieces which are not that well-known, in overall very fine performances.
02/2017 • Musica dei Bonum - Johan van Veen

‘Tu fedel? Tu costante?’ HWV 171a and other Italian cantatas - Ton Koopman / Fono Forum
As always the playing is at the highest level
02/2017 • Fono Forum - Rainmar Emans

‘Tu fedel? Tu costante?’ HWV 171a and other Italian cantatas - Ton Koopman / Pizzicato

Despite the presence of good soloists and a fine recording technique, this is a most disappointing production, since Ton Koopman’s conducting badly lacks inspiration.

‘Tu fedel? Tu costante?’ HWV 171a and other Italian cantatas - Ton Koopman - Luister
''The performance is only a bit formal.''
12/2016 • Luister - Marnix Bilderbeek

‘Tu fedel? Tu costante?’ HWV 171a and other Italian cantatas - Ton Koopman - Klassieke Zaken
"You own a unique work by Händel, Ton!"
11/2016 • Klassieke zaken - Thiemo Wind

‘Tu fedel? Tu costante?’ HWV 171a and other Italian cantatas - Ton Koopman - artikel NRC
Ton Koopman will give the prestigious Huizinga lecture at Leiden University this year.
10/2016 • NRC Next - Mischa Spel

Ton Koopman at the Zacharias Hildebrandt Organ (1726) in Lengefeld in the Erzgebirge - Ton Koopman - Ouverture Klassik-Blog
Ouverture klassik-blog 30-08-2016
08/2016 • ouverture klassik-blog - Wolfgang Reihing

‘Tu fedel? Tu costante?’ HWV 171a and other Italian cantatas - Ton Koopman / Gramophone

All the while the Amsterdam players are a buoyant presence, whether in the energising continuo or the beautifully turned obbligatos from oboe, recorder and solo violins.

Ton Koopman at the Zacharias Hildebrandt Organ (1726) in Lengefeld in the Erzgebirge - Ton Koopman - Orgel nieuws
" [...] When Ton Koopmans hits the keyboards, He becomes inspired and the joy sparkles off from the play. As well on this CD. [...]"
04/2016 • Orgel Nieuws - Maarten Seijbel

‘Tu fedel? Tu costante?’ HWV 171a and other Italian cantatas - Ton Koopman - NRC
Koopman conducted his choir and orchestra with an enthousiasm that was sometimes rushed but also very contagious. 
04/2016 • NRC - Floris Don

‘Tu fedel? Tu costante?’ HWV 171a and other Italian cantatas - Ton Koopman - Volkskrant
"And then the world received the gift of a new piece by Händel."
04/2016 • De Volkskrant - Frits van der Waa

Ton Koopman at the Zacharias Hildebrandt Organ (1726) in Lengefeld in the Erzgebirge - Ton Koopman - Luister Magazine
Luister 10
"The sound of this particular instrument, in a relatively small space with little, is wonderful in this beautiful recording."
03/2016 • Luister Magazine - Hans Quant

De Orgelvriend
*Book Review    
09/2015 • De Orgelvriend - Lourens Stuifbergen

Opera Omnia - Buxtehude Collectors Box - Ton Koopman - BBC Music Magazine
['']...Job done, I would say, and with love and respect that shines through everything here...['']
07/2015 • BBC Music Magazine - Andrew McGregor

6 organ sonatas - Ton Koopman - EOS Classical Music
"Bach junior's modest organ works perfectly fine thank you." 
06/2015 • EOS Classical Music - Warwick

Constantin Emanuel sings from Schemellis Gesangbuch - Constantin Emanuel - Fono Forum
"Constantin Emanuel's timbre already has a certain personility and he apparently knows what the texts he performs mean."
Music 3,5 stars
Sound 4 stars
05/2015 • Fono Forum - Matthias Hengelbrock

Matthäus Passion - Ton Koopman / Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir - Algemeen Dagblad
"The instruments are equally authentic as the interpretation of Koopman. He lets Bachs Magnum Opus not only in the Church, but also in the livingroom sound magnificent." 
04/2015 • Algemeen Dagblad - -

Opera Omnia - Buxtehude Collectors Box - Ton Koopman - OpusKlassiek
"It cannot be otherwise, the work, even in the most literal sence, progresses, the violists, choir members and musicians are more en more fused within this repetoire." 
04/2015 • Opus Klassiek - Aart van der Wal

Opera Omnia XX - Ton Koopman / Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir - Toccata
A worthy ending of an impressive monument for a great baroque master. 
03/2015 • Toccata - Johan van Vee

Opera Omnia XX - Vocal Works 10 - Ton Koopman / Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir - Luister
"Brilliant music, early Baroque, but of great maturity, and sometimes almost visionary."
03/2015 • Luister - René de Cocq

Constantin Emanuel sings from Schemellis Gesangbuch - Constantin Emanuel - Deutschlandradio Kultur
"With his 15 years Constantin presents a matured, catchy boy soprano, that is close to counter tenor. This has historical rarity that needs to be conserved."
03/2015 • Deutschlandradio Kultur - Ulrike Thiele

Fantasia - Tini Mathot - Fono Forum
Recommendation of the month
The recording captures the the superb sound of the historical instrument perfectly. A wonderful plea for the works of C. Ph. E. Bach.
02/2015 • Fono Forum - Arnd Richter

C.P.E. Bach 300 years / Fantasia & 6 Organ Sonatas - Tini Mathot / Ton Koopman - Early Music Review
["].. Although Tini Mathot has a very relaxed approach to pulse, I felt that this was in keeping with the style of the music - and she does generally respect Bach's ornamentation markings, and  the notes that he wrote."
02/2015 • Early Music Review - Andrew Benson-Wilson

Opera Omnia XX - Vocal Works 10 - Ton Koopman / Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir - Reformatorisch Dagblad
["].. Regarding the latter, Buxtehude may  wish of no better interpreter of his oeuvre than Ton Koopman. Hecan,as noother build up the tension in each work again and again. "
12/2014 • Reformatorisch Dagblad - S. M. W. Bezemer

cd
"It is truly fantastic to hear these beautiful sonatas played so vividly and balanced by Koopman on this sublime sounding Berlin organ." 
12/2014 • Trouw - Christo Lelie

Opera Omnia XIX - Vocal Works 9 - Ton Koopman - ich-habe-gehört.de
The work of recording the whole Buxtehude works was worth it. The music is really impressive.
12/2014 • ich-habe-gehört.de -

Opera Omnia - Buxtehude Collectors Box - Ton Koopman & Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, Het Parool, PS
"A purchase that will keep you going till the end of the days"
11/2014 • Het Parool, PS -

Ton Koopman at 70
"But... for me, no composer at all is equal to Bach. Not even Mozart!"
11/2014 • Presto Classical - David Smith

Opera Omnia- Buxtehude Collector's Box - Parool
5***** stars
Buxthehude is formidable.[….]  Mission accomplished. This is a precious possession for eternity.”
11/2014 • Het Parool - Erik Voermans

Opera Omnia - Buxtehude Collector's Box - Trouw
4**** stars
“A monumental achievement Koopman has made with this project.[….] And everything is again impeccably recorded by Koopmans wife Tini Mathot and Adriaan Verstijnen.”
10/2014 • Trouw - Peter van der Lint

Fantasia / 6 organ sonatas - Tini Mathot / Ton Koopman - Rondo
The variety and beauty of Buxtehude's music is amazing and exhilarating
10/2014 • Rondo - Michael Wersin

Opera Omnia XVIII - Ton Koopman & Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra - Toccata
The from Koopman intiated and realised projekt - the recording of the complete works of Dietrich Buxtehude - is one of the most important ones of the last years.
09/2014 • Toccata - John van Veen

6 organ sonatas - Ton Koopman - Opus Klassiek
Koopman made a right choice by choosing this organ
05/2014 • Opus Klassiek - Siebe Reidstra

Opera Omnia XVIII - Vocal works vol. 8 - Ton Koopman - Written in music
It's an album that excels in balance and suppleness.
03/2014 • Written in music - Robert Spannenberg

Opera Omnia XI - Vocal Works 4 - Ton Koopman / Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir - Luister
I experience a constant lightness in these versions, which ensures that after more than two hours Buxtehude still feels fresh
03/2014 • Luister - Frank Pothoven

Opera Omnia XVIII - Vocal works vol. 8 - Ton Koopman - Opus Klassiek
An uncompromising approach, as a result Buxtehude's music sounds like a grand monument which is unparalleled in the history of discography in this area. 
02/2014 • Opus Klassiek - Aart van Der Wal

Opera Omnia XVII - Vocal music vol. 7 - Ton Koopman & Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, www.opusklassiek.nl
"In the meantime, enjoy this latest episode that again excels in instrumental and vocal splendor on the basis of coherence, balance, diction, phrasing, rhythmic foundation, fantastic panorama that unfolds through a phenomenal insight into what was there and what was to come"
10/2013 • www.opusklassiek.nl - Aart van der Wal

Six Partitas for harpsichord BWV 825-30 - Early Music Review
This is altogether a very welcome recording indeed from a great player in his full maturiry.
08/2013 • Early Music Review - Noel O'Regan

Six Partitas for harpsichord BWV 825-30 - BBC Music Magazine
Putting the art in Partita
07/2013 • BBC Music Magazine - George Pratt

Six Partitas for harpsichord BWV 825-30 - Toccata
Ton Koopman plays enthralling from the beginning with brio, disarming sovereignty and exuberant enthusiasm
07/2013 • Toccata -

Six Partitas for harpsichord BWV 825-30 - Grammophone
Big effects are a hall mark of Koopman's style. The playing throughout these suites is consistently extrovert and red-blooded, with frequent changes of registration on the robust Ruckers-style instrument by Willem Kroesbergen. [...] Koopman creates a rich drama of dymnamic contrasts, thin flutey sounds alternating with grander, thicker, coupled passages, in orchestral style.
05/2013 • Grammophone - Philip Kennicott

Six Partitas for harpsichord (Clavier Übung I) BWV 825-830 - Ton Koopman, Luister
In the end, Koopman's vision might be too animated in some parts, but it is completely consistent
04/2013 • Luister - Pauk Herruer

BBC Music Magazine
From the very start of BWV 1014, you can feel that this highly disctinctive duo has a good sense of admiration for Bach's inventiveness
02/2013 • BBC Music Magazine - George Pratt

Ton Koopman Bach Cantates Eindhoven 16/1/2013

Christmas Cantatas - Weihnachtskantaten - Ton Koopman & The Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir - Trouw
More joyfull than this chrismasconcerts rarely are. 
12/2012 • Trouw - Mischa Spel

Opera Omnia XVI - BBC Music Magazine
Koopman captures the fascinating creative tension between the text, which is rooted in Catholic mysticism, and a sense of Buxtehude the northern Lutheran.
11/2012 • BBC Music Magazine - Paul Riley

Opera Omnia XV - Early Music Review
With such a team as Catherine Manson (violin), Paolo Pandolfo (viola da gamba), Mike Fentross (lute) and Ton Koopman on harpsichord and organ one cannot expect anything but playing that is exciting yet expressive, where the music immediately comes alive.
08/2012 • Early Music Review - Ian Graham-Jones

Opera Omnia XIV - Early Music Today
Buxtehude's contemplative, sophisticated enslemble music, beautifully rendered by Koopman and his players, gives equal prominence to vocal and instrumental parts, and the two are expertly balanced.
03/2012 • Early Music Today - Tim Woodall

Opera Omnia XIV - Music Web International
Ton Koopman's survey of the entire works of Buxtehude seems to be getting more enjoyable and exciting with each release.  If you want to sample historically significant and beautiful music from the under-performed Buxtehude, this is a greatplace to start. 
02/2012 • Music Web International - Mark Sealey

Haydn: Organ Concertos - Early Music Today
this disc will certainly brighten up your shelves
09/2011 • Early Music Today - Jonathan Wikeley

Opera Omnia XII - Gramophone - 1-2011
The performances are fittingly accomplished - naturally virtuoso, warmly recorded and paces with acute awareness of the music's rhetorical ebb and flow.... The balance between instruments here is thoroughly satisfying at all times. 
Lindsay Kemp, Gramaphone
06/2011 • -

It is impressing, with which kind of self-conception and meticulousness Koopman approaches to each composition.
• klassik.com - Marion Beyer

with a dream-cast
• Diapason - Gaetan Naulleau

The Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra's playing, in particular the shapely violin ritornelli, is delightful.
• Grammophone - David Vickers