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Piet Kee was born on August 30, 1927 in Zaandam.
Education
He studied with his father Cor Kee, and later at the Conservatory of Music in Amsterdam, with Anthon van der Horst, among others. He played several instruments: piano, organ, violin, clarinet. His studies were honoured with the Prix d'Excellence.
Activities
Piet Kee was organist of the St. Laurenskerk in Alkmaar from 1952 to 1986 and from 1956 to 1989 municipal organist of the St. Bavokerk in Haarlem. He made concert tours all over the world in Europe, America, Asia and Australia. He was also senior lecturer at the Muzieklyceum and Conservatory in Amsterdam.
Compositions
Several of his compositions are inspired by his work as the organist of the famous organs in Alkmaar and Haarlem: Ciacona (1952), Tryptich on psalm 86 (1961), Four manual pieces (1966), Gedenck-Clanck 76 (1976). The function of the sound in space often plays an important role in Piet Kee's music. He explored this subject in many ways, e.g. in Music and Space for 2 organs and 5 brass players (1969), Intrada for two organs (1972), Confrontation for 3 barrel organs and church organ (1979), Network for 2 organs, electronic keyboard, alto saxophone and soprano recorder (1996), The Organ (2000), Festival Spirit for 5 organs (for the International Organ Festival of St. Albans), Heaven for mixed choir a cappella (2001), Bios II for organ, percussion and violin (2002).
Prizes
In 1953, 1954 and 1955 he won the International Improvisation Competition of Haarlem, which was the beginning of a worldwide career as a concert organist. In 1960 Piet Kee received the Bach Medal from the Harriet Cohen Foundation (London) and in 1988 - together with Olivier Messiaen - a fellowship honoris causa from the Royal College of Organists (London).
Piet Kee
2003
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photo: Patricia Werner Leanse
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