The Camphuysen Manuscript

The so-called Camphuysen Manuscript is one of the most important sources of keyboard music from 17th century Netherlands and belongs to the music collection of Utrecht University Library. As written on the original cover, this book was published in Amsterdam by Paulus Matthijs (?-1684), and contains 36 anonymous keyboard pieces divided into three categories: 21 are based on melodies from Stichtelycke Rymen by the theologist Dirk Rafaelsz Camphuysen (1586-1627), 9 are based on melodies from the Genevan Psalms and 6 are based on traditional melodies, mainly from England. 

This collection works for all kinds of keyboard instruments and was most probably intended for private use. A lovely example of 17th century Dutch organs is preserved at Midwolde, Groningen. Originally built as a house organ by Levijn Eekman from Amsterdam in 1630, it was rebuilt and enlarged in 1660 by Andreas de Mare from Bedum. De Mare built a new organ case placed directly above Eekman’s case. The instrument is tuned in meantone and has two cymbelsterns, a short octave keyboard with 45 keys (C-c3) and no pedals. The disposition is as follows:

Holpijp 8 (b/t), Prestant 4 (b/t), Octaaf 2 (b/t), Quint 1 1/3 (b/t), Mixtuur II-III (b/t), Nasard 1 1/3 (b), Sesquialter II (t).

Considering that small instruments such as the one-manual organ at Midwolde were quite common in 17th century Netherlands, I have recorded the Camphuysen Manuscript on our 1715 De Martino organ in Karlskoga. Although it is an Italian organ, the structure is quite similar to the organ in Midwolde and can give a reasonable closeness to the sound of a 17th century Dutch house organ. Here is the complete recording:

The original manuscript is available on IMSLP and a modern edition has been edited by Pieter van Dijk and Frank van Wijk for Ut Orpheus (Bologna, 2018).