ARIE ABBENES, born 1944 in Den Helder, studied carillon with Peter Bakker and with Piet van den Broek at the Beiaardschool in Mechelen, Belgium. He graduated with highest honor “Grote Onderscheiding” in 1968.
Abbenes is known for his broad interest in all styles and aspects of the art of the carillon. He premiered many compositions by prominent composers, and often compositions were dedicated to him as well. Abbenes worked on two projects with Mauricio Kagel including the prize-winning German CD production “Nah und Fern”.
Abbenes' interests in Early Music have resulted in his annual concerts at the Holland Festival Early Music in Utrecht, The Netherlands. Furthermore, inspired by the distinct approach to early music, he developed unique ideas in regards to carillon reconstructions.
In the years 1971-73, Abbenes was Associate Professor of Music in Carillon and Campanology at Indiana University School of Music in Bloomington, Indiana (USA). He was also a long time Professor in Carillon at the Nederland Carillon School in Amersfoort.
Arie Abbenes is city carillonneur of Utrecht, where he plays the Hemony carillons in the Dom tower (1664), the Nicolaï Church (1649) and the new Petit & Fritsen carillon in Vleuten. Over 40 years, Abbenes was city carillonneur of Eindhoven and Asten.
Abbenes has numerous radio, television and CD recordings. This spring, his tenth CD in collaboration with recorder player Saskia Coolen was released. He has performed many guest concerts in The Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Austria, Portugal, United States, England, Ireland, Japan and Korea.
In 2004, he was awarded "Ridder in de Orde van Oranje Nassau" (Knight in the Order of Oranje Nassau) on the basis of his merits for the art of the carillon at home and abroad, and then he was appointed as citizen of honor of the city of Asten (NL) for the occasion of his 40 years carillonneur jubilee.
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