Frits Mehrtens

MEHRTENS, Frits (Frederik August). b. 1922; d. 1975. Mehrtens was a Dutch protestant church musician of great influence. Initially he studied medicine, but this was interrupted by the Second World War. He switched to music and studied organ with Jacob Bijster en Anthon van der Horst at the Amsterdam Conservatory. Nevertheless his medical knowledge played an important role in his work as a choir director and leader of congregational singing. He was fascinated by the physical aspect of singing and laid great emphasis on the meaning of the biblical words ‘ruach’ and ‘pneuma’. When we sing all comes together, it effects the whole human being with body and soul, feeling and sense. Important for...