Organisation

During its almost 50 years of existence, the Huygens-Fokker Foundation has developed into a knowledge center which is in possession of a rich archive of unique documentation about microtonality. Among the archives are handwritten correspondences between Adrian Fokker and a diverse collection of well known composers and musicians, such as Yehudi Menuhin, Pierre Boulez, Edgar Varèse, Peter Schat, Willem Pijper, Ivan Wyschnegradsky, Louis Andriessen, Alois Hàba, Henk Badings, etc. The Foundation library also contains an extensive library of microtonal scores, books and other publications.

The term 'microtonality' stands for 'an other sound' (that isn't based upon the ubiquitously known 12 equal tempered tones), through which different stylistic periods within one concert can be combined.

Since it's inception the Huygens-Fokker Foundation regularly organizes concerts in the Netherlands, which are unique because of their complete dedication to microtonality. In addition to organizing lectures and workshops these concerts fulfill an important function of the Foundation by demonstrating microtonality in practice. Diverse compositions are presented to show the broad spectrum which microtonality covers. For example, besides contemporary microtonal techniques and systems, also historical tunings and temperaments show much about microtonality. However, the Foundation doesn't restrict it's focus to only contemporary and early music. Also improvised and other forms of popular music which are microtonal can be found on our concerts. The fresh sound of microtonality connects all these styles together.

Organisation

A foundation full of activity

On February 15th, 1960 the Huygens-Fokker Foundation was set up because of Fokker’s ideal of introducing the 31-tone scale devised by Huygens to the practice of music making had evoked response. And that unique 31-tone organ in Teylers Museum in Haarlem, Holland, was begging to be played.
The new technical and theoretical possibilities that had been opened up, were waiting to receive the final artistic touch. Initially Fokker’s supporters were found amoung physicists; it was not very long before they were joined by those members of the general public whose main interest was to promote meaningful renewals. Then came the professional musicians. That’s how the Huygens-Fokker Foundation came into being.
Ever since it was first set up, the foundation has led an active life. Discussions were held, international contacts established, composers started to write 31-tone works, and musicians began to perform the new music as well as the old, which could be heard again in its authentical tonal colours. The concerts staged in Teylers Museum in Haarlem, became a regular event which increasingly took on the air of a festive occasion.
The Huygens-Fokker Foundation is convinced that it has a task to perform. Especially since today, there is a demand for renewal and for widening of musical possibilities, also because we have come to look upon culture in a world-wide context. In 31-tone music and other microtonal systems we have created the tool enabling exotic intervals to be integrated into western music.