Music from the Age of Rembrandt

Rembrandt van Rijn is one of the most recognizable and influential Dutch artists; he helped usher in a creative renaissance in the Netherlands during the 17th century—a blossoming of art, music, and poetry that remains unique in its history. Although few music manuscripts from the period remain intact, countless paintings, including those by Rembrandt, depict people singing and playing together.

Music in the Netherlands at the time was a form of domestic recreation—not just for professional musicians in the concert hall or royal court, as seen in other European countries. Even then the Dutch were masters of recycling, setting texts by their own poets and authors to tunes from abroad. Composers gave popular melodies new life with fresh and innovative lyrics, while professional church musicians recast street ditties into sacred music.

Enjoy a performance from Camerata Tajectina as they present a range of Dutch musical offerings from Rembrandt’s time, including everything from works by great poets to songs servers would have sung in a bawdy house.

Camerata Trajectina has made its name as the “Musical Treasury of the Netherlands.” Its performances combine popular ditties of the 17th century with works by great renaissance and baroque composers—often presented in political, literary, and artistic contexts.