Everhard Zwart
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Everhard Zwart, born in Emmen on August 5, 1958, was appointed Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau in 2008 and in 2009 he received the silver medal from the "Societe Arts-Sciences-Lettres" in Paris. He enjoys great international recognition as an organist for his stylish performance of the "Dutch Choral Art," particularly the compositions of his father and grandfather, but above all for his virtuosic interpretation of many major works from the organ literature.
Everhard Zwart, son of Willem Hendrik Zwart, grandson of Jan Zwart, and student of Feike Asma, received his first organ lessons at a young age from his father, Willem Hendrik Zwart – organist of the Bovenkerk in Kampen – after which he soon continued these lessons (chorale playing and literature) with Feike Asma – organist in Maassluis. After obtaining his Gymnasium diploma, he studied at the Conservatory, first in Utrecht, then in Rotterdam, where he graduated successfully in 1983.
He has been connected as an organist to the Reformed Bergsingel Church in Rotterdam since 1979. After graduating, he was invited in 1983 and 1984 to attend the international masterclasses (interpretation and improvisation) with the renowned French organ virtuoso Jean Guillou in Rotterdam and Paris, respectively. In 1987, he studied with the German organist Günther Kaunzinger in Würzburg (Organ Symphonies of Widor and Vierne and improvisation). Additionally, he studied Musicology for a few years at the University of Utrecht. He gave his first organ concert in the summer of 1979 at the Dutch Reformed Church in Zandvoort.
Everhard Zwart made his international debut as a concert organist in 1983 in Barcelona (Spain), after which he regularly performed in various countries across Europe. In 1987, he became the chief organist of the Dutch Reformed Nieuwe Westerkerk in Capelle aan den IJssel.
Everhard Zwart owes his great fame primarily to his very broad repertoire. His preference lies with the French Romantic organ literature of, among others, Widor, Vierne, Guilmant, Franck; but he is also a majestic interpreter of Bach, Reger, Liszt and other famous composers such as Handel or Mendelssohn and the more contemporary Andriessen. This versatility has become his trademark. However, there will rarely be a performance of arrangements by grandfather Jan Zwart, father Willem Hendrik Zwart, or mentor Feike Asma missing from his concert program.
