Jacob van Eyck

Jacob van Eyck, a Dutch nobleman and blind musician, stands as one of the most remarkable figures of the Dutch Golden Age. Born into an aristocratic family in 1589, van Eyck overcame his blindness to become a virtuoso on the recorder and a pioneering carillon player and technician. His expertise in bell casting and tuning was unparalleled, and he played a crucial role in developing the modern carillon alongside the Hemony brothers. Van Eyck's most enduring legacy is his monumental collection of 143 compositions for recorder, "Der Fluyten Lust-hof," which remains the largest work for a solo wind instrument in European history. His music, characterized by its technical brilliance and emotional depth, continues to captivate audiences and inspire musicians today.