- Born
- January 15 1901, Wommels
- Died
- May 4 1972, Aldeboarn
- Profession
- Teacher & Composer
- Style
- Romantic
- Influences
- J.S. Bach, Viennese classics
- Opus
- 77 official nrs. (100+ works)
Paulus Folkertsma was born on January 15, 1901, in Wommels. In 1906, the family moved to Berlikum, where he received his first violin lessons from the local teacher. At the age of 14, Paulus Folkertsma attended the State Teacher Training College in Maastricht. From that moment on, music took on an increasingly significant role in his life, and he wrote his first compositions. He completed his studies by obtaining his teaching certificate.
After temporary appointments in Leeuwarden and Sondel, he was appointed to the public primary school in Aldeboarn, where he remained employed as a teacher for more than 40 years. In 1956, he married Helga Khek from Vienna; they had four children. Paulus Folkertsma died on May 4, 1972, in Aldeboarn.
As a composer
As a composer, Paulus Folkertsma was self-taught. A self-taught musician who, driven by a keen scientific interest, unwavering enthusiasm, and a natural talent, mastered the art of composing with an iron will.
Since Jaques Vredeman, Paulus Folkertsma is undoubtedly the most important composer Friesland has produced. Paulus Folkertsma left behind 77 official opus numbers; the actual number exceeds one hundred. These include organ works, songs, works for symphony orchestra, cantatas, operettas, and chamber music for the most diverse ensembles..
It is not easy to describe Folkertsma’s style. His musical language is anything but modern. He knew this very well himself. In a thank-you speech delivered by him in 1971 during a concert on the occasion of his 70th birthday, Paulus Folkertsma emphasized that, despite the great development music had undergone in the 20th century, he had remained a Romantic through and through. He intended to indicate that he was influenced by J.S. Bach and the Viennese Classics, and that the musical language of the Impressionists and later masters passed him by. His work bears witness to an inner tension and emotionality that he sought to bring “under control” in his music. However, the fact that he is deeply rooted in tradition does not mean that his work lacks something unique; passages can be found in his songs that can be counted among the most inspired ever composed to a Frisian text.
“Despite the great development music had undergone in the 20th century, I have remained a romantic through and through.”
— Paulus Folkertsma, concert on the occasion of his 70th birthday, 1971
Documentation & Recordings