Bram Beekman

Bram Beekman was a renowned Dutch organist and composer, born on November 5, 1949, in Vlissingen, Netherlands. He studied organ from 1967 to 1972 at the Brabants Conservatorium under Louis Toebosch and later in Vienna with Anton Heiller, where he earned the Prix d'Excellence in 1975. Throughout his career, Beekman was a prolific performer and educator, serving as a professor of organ at the Brabants Conservatorium from 1980 to 2012 and becoming the organist at the Oostkerk in Middelburg in 1997. He was known for his comprehensive recordings, including the complete organ works of J.S. Bach on fourteen baroque organs in the Netherlands, and César Franck's complete organ works on the Cavaillé-Coll organ in Perpignan, France.

Beekman's compositional style primarily focused on the liturgical genre, with an emphasis on chorale arrangements. His albums showcase a deep appreciation for historical organ music, as seen in releases such as "Toccata - 200 Years of German Organ Music" and "Bach, Boëly en Beekman." Beekman received the Order of Orange-Nassau in 2014, recognizing his contributions to Dutch music. He passed away on March 30, 2016, at the age of 66, leaving behind a legacy of his compositions and performances that continue to inspire organ music enthusiasts.

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