Six Variations

Sweelinck (May 1562– October 1621) was a Dutch composer, organist, and pedagogue whose work straddled the end of the Renaissance and beginning of the Baroque eras. He was among the first major keyboard composers of Europe and his work as a teacher helped establish the north German organ tradition. Born in Deventer, Netherlands, soon after Sweelinck's birth the family moved to Amsterdam. He started his 44- year professional career as organist of the Oude Kerk (Church) in 1577, when he was just 15 years old. He spent his entire life in Amsterdam, only occasionally visiting other cities in connection with his professional activities: he was also asked to inspect organs, give opinions and advice on organ building and restoration. Sweelinck represents the highest development of the Dutch keyboard school and represented a pinnacle in keyboard contrapuntal complexity and refinement before J.S. Bach. He was a skilled composer for voices and composed more than 250 vocal works (chansons, madrigals, motets and Psalms). Some of Sweelinck's innovations were of profound musical importance, including the fugue, he was the first to write an organ fugue which began simply, with one subject, successively adding texture and complexity until a final climax and resolution, an idea which was perfected at the end of the Baroque era by Bach. It is also generally thought that many of Sweelinck's keyboard works were intended as studies for his pupils. He was also the first to use the pedal as a real fugal part. Stylistically Sweelinck's music also brings together the richness, complexity and spatial sense of Andrea and Giovanni Gabrieli and the ornamentation and intimate forms of the English keyboard composers. Sweelinck was a master improviser and acquired the informal title of the Orpheus of Amsterdam.

Originally composed for organ or harpsichord, it is frequently performed on modern organ, piano, or arranged for various ensembles. Each variation transforms the original melody through increasingly complex textures and rhythmic activity.

Jock McKenzie studied trumpet at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester where he was a joint recipient of the college’s concerto prize. From 1987 Jock based his musical career in Hampshire, working as a freelance trumpeter, conductor, composer, arranger and brass teacher. Jock is a former Professional Leader (Brass) for Hampshire Music Service and was the Director of the Hampshire County Youth Band from 2004 until 2020. It is the mix of all of these musical roles that has led to Jock establishing a reputation as a leading creator of brass music resources, particularly in the field of education and brass ensemble music. In 2020 Jock was awarded an “Honorary Fellowship of the University of Winchester” for services to music education. Currently Jock is working part-time for the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama; providing tuition for their Brass Teaching Module. In 2024 Jock was given the award for “Services to Youth” by Brass Bands England.