Abraham van den Kerckhoven

The references to Kerckhoven begin in 1633 when he became the organist of Ste Catherine in Brussels. Kerll left in 1648 and Abraham took his place as organist for Archduke Leopold Wilhelm of Austria. He became the first organist by 1659 and held the position until at least 1673 and possibly 1684 when a final musical reference was made about him. His compositions were all set for the organ and based on the ricercare. Fantasies and fugues demonstrated his ability to be forward looking with harmony and structure. Nothing is known of the organs on which Kerckhoven must have played at Ste Catherine's but there were possible indications of registration in the body of his music. ~ Keith Johnson