Gerrit Jan van Eijken explained

Gerrit Jan van Eijken (Amersfoort, 5 May 1832 - Dalston, London, 22 March 1879) was a Dutch composer. He studied first under his father, Gerrit van Eijken, who was organist and bell-ringer at the Grote Kerk in Amersfoort. His elder brother Jan Albert van Eijken was also a composer.^[1] ^[2]

In 1859 the organist Karl Emanuel Klitzsch commented favourably in the Neue Zeitschrift fur Musik on his works.^[3] But after initial successes he suffered from disappointment as a composer and became prey to alcoholism. In his last years he earned a living as an organist in London, and died at the age of 46.

Works, editions and recordings

Songs of Love and Death - Lieder Töne der Liebe aus dem hohen Lied op. 10; Gedichte op.8 Nr. 1 & 2; op. 11; Lieder op.6 2 & 3. With Jan Albert van Eijken: Lieder op. 30 Nr. 2, 4;Lied op. 28, 2; Lieder op. 12 Nr. 3, 4,6; op 33 Nr. 3 & 4. Performed by Anne Grimm (soprano), Marcel Reijans (tenor), Geert Smits (bass), Frans van Ruth (piano). NM Classics, 1997.

Violin Sonata in f minor, Op. 5; Performed by Bob van der Ent (violin), René Rakier (piano). Aliud Records, 2011

Notes and References

Jolande van der Klis The essential guide to Dutch music: 100 composers and their work Amsterdam University Press 2000 p.117 "Gerrit Jan van Eijken AMERSFOORT, 5 MAY 1832 - LONDON, 22 MARCH 1879 Gerrit Jan van Eijken was not the only member of his family to pursue a career in music. His father Gerrit was organist and bell-ringer at the Great Church in Amersfoort ..."
Cyclopedia of Music and Musicians: Easter-Mystéres ed. John Denison Champlin, William Foster Apthorp - 1899 "EYKEN (Eijken), GERRIT JAN VAN, born at Amersfoort, Netherlands, May 5, 1832, still living, 1889. Organist, pupil of his father, Gerard van Eyken, organist, of his brother, and (1851-53) at the Leipsic Conservatorium"
Klis "In 1859 Emanuel Klitzsch commented in the Neue Zeitschrift fur Musik on works of Van Eijken, written while the composer was still in his prime: 'In this it speaks for itself that the composer is not reminiscent of any model;""