Hans Odin Faassen - Pianist

Hans Odin Faassen (1947) started piano lessons at the age of seven. Over a period of 13 years his teachers were Ans Hasselmann, Anton Zeiler and Jan Wijn. He played solo and in duos and trios. He played in a Salon Orchestra for 25 years, performing in concerts in Holland and Germany. Over a 20-year period he was also the pianist in an old style Dixieland band.

Although music is his passion, it never became his profession. He passed the entrance examination of the Amsterdam Conservatorium, but chose instead to study urban planning and landscape architecture at the Agricultural University of Wageningen. Beyond his career in the provincial authority and in the ministry of Nature Conservation, music was always his principal avocation.

Faasen began composing music for recorders and piano when he was 13 years old, yet it was never published. Beginning in 1990, he began to experiment with “instant composing” on computer and synthesizer. His style remained traditional classic and romantic. He made two CDs, Going Around Classic (1990) and Experimental Classic (1995). These have recently been reproduced.

After retirement he and his wife, Margreet Faassen-Pijpers, moved to Bonaire in 2006. Influenced by the relaxed atmosphere, the unfolding landscape, a vibrant underwater world, and the prevailing trade winds he experienced an almost indescribable inspiration to return to musical composition. He has since made over 250 compositions for piano solo. Some of these, reflecting the relaxing romantic atmosphere of Bonaire, may be heard on the CD, Bonairian Inspirations (2009) with cover design by his wife, Margreet. This CD is included in the special prize of the ticket for the first 70 visitors.[I can’t tell what this last sentence means exactly. B]

Hans Odin Faassen loves Bonaire. He teaches piano at the Skol di Musika di Boneiru and helps with the organization of classical music concerts on Bonaire.

Classical Instant Composing
Classical Instant Composing is a musical art performed by only a few musicians. Though Hans Odin Faassen has long experience in this form of composition, he continues to find it challenging and exciting. Much depends on the inspiration of the moment and interaction with the audience.

Faassen’s style is diverse, ranging from classical romantic (in the manner of Chopin Schumann, Rachmaninoff) or impressionistic and realistic 19th and 20th century (bringing to mind Satie, Faure, Skriabin, Prokofiev) or even experimental classical. Jazz ballads are also a frequent inspiration for him. He mixes styles to create a new entity with a special character. His compositions are often melancholic and richly melodic with quick changes in keys, by turns sweet, heroic, spiritual and sad. All become a part of the presentation.