Jacob Van Eyck

17th-Century Dutch Carillonneur and Composer

Jacob van Eyck (c. 1590 – 1657) was a Dutch musician and composer, renowned for his virtuosity on the recorder and his contributions to the Baroque music era. He was blind from a young age, but that did not hinder his musical career. Van Eyck was employed as a carillonneur in Utrecht, where he also became the director of the city's carillons. He is best known for his collection of recorder music titled "Der Fluyten Lust-hof" (The Flute's Garden of Delights), which is one of the largest collections of solo recorder music from the 17th century. This work includes variations on popular melodies of the time and demonstrates his exceptional skill as an improviser. While "Jauchzet, Frohlocket - Weihnachtliche Flötenmusik" appears to be a collection that could include arrangements or compositions suitable for the Christmas season, it is not one of Van Eyck's known works. His influence on recorder technique and repertoire remains significant to this day.