Dirk-Jan Ranzijn

March 6^th, 2004

After an absence of two years, it was a pleasure to welcome back Dirk-Jan Ranzijn who hails from Holland, but resides in Reading. To make him feel 'at home', there was a fellow Dutchman in the audience, with whom he managed to have a short conversation in his native tongue.

The complete stage set up is arranged with the help of Kath & Tom: curtain, mirror, floral displays and a revolving globe shimmering in a variety of colours throughout the evening. And so to the music itself played on the seemingly huge white 'Bohm Excellence 300' that began with a very lively number entitled 'Theatre Theatre'. Next a very contrasting piece from the film "Yentl" with Barbara Streisand, the prayer 'Papa Can You Hear'?

Dirk has one of the finest collections of circus memorabilia; hence it was no surprise to hear 'We Are Going To The Circus' inclusive of the spotlight going round the "Big Top" plus the sounds horses and trying to make us imagine the acts of clowns & acrobats.

Dirk attended the launch of the new Bohm 'Sinfonia' organ in Germany, which inspired him to write his own orchestral dedication to the new instrument of the same name. Next some Latin American music before continuing with the theme from the 'Thorn Birds', which, following a very successful airing on the Australian network was played live by Dirk on Danish TV.

Dirk carried on with the theme tune from the musical "Matador" which featured Tom Jones singing 'The Boy From Nowhere'. Taking us back to the days of Dame Vera Lyn we then heard 'Yours', played to a gentle rumba. April sees the annual Eurovision Song Contest; hence Dirk played us a medley of tunes heard during previous years.
To conclude the first half of his program, we were taken on a tour of the world starting in France, taking us onto Italy, Spain, Austria, Israel, Russia, Holland, America and back to the UK: 'The Marseillaise' - 'Kalinka' & 'Tulips From Amsterdam' featured amongst them.

'Mr. Mistoffelees' from the musical "Cats" opened the second half followed by a romantic piece the title of which escaped the writer. A very lively rendition of 'Chim Chim Cher-ee' & 'Que Sera Sera' followed.

The late John Denver composed the next piece, sung by Placido Domingo 'Perhaps Love', before carrying on with 'Eastern Wind'. Many of us know scores from the musical 'Chess', but perhaps not the actual opening theme, which Dirk played for us. Another rumba followed before carrying on with the 'Pie Jesu' by A.L. Webber dedicated to all the innocent children who are victims of conflict all over the world.

'Be My Guest' from "Beauty Of The Beast" then got a look in. The musical "Miss Saigon" is also very well known. It is the story of an American Soldier who falls in love with a Vietnamese Girl, who becomes the love of his life. As they dance in each other's arms it is the 'Last Night Of The World'.

The last piece of music of the concert was entitled 'This Is The Moment', which to put it into a few simple words, is about what we would all like and hope to achieve in life. A lovely piece of music played with great feeling.

The audience did not want to let Dirk go without the traditional BKC encore. He duly obliged with a very lively rendition of the 'Cumana' Samba.

Thanks to Dirk-Jan Ranzijn for providing us with his very own brand of music, also his own lighting show with lights going round the hall, smoke and coloured bubbles, all operated by Kath & Tom.

Thanks to all our members and large number of visitors, many of them having travelled quite a long distance to see and hear this show. We hope to welcome you back again in the future.

Why not come along to a Basildon Keyboard Club Concert, you will be made very welcome, have a great evenings entertainment, a complimentary cup of tea or coffee with biscuits and of course experience the delights of live music played on top of the range electronic organs & keyboards by the best players.