In 1901, the famous composer Edvard Grieg called him a ‘Dutch Chopin’. Yet Gerard von Brucken Fock (1859-1935) remained uncertain. Would his music be appreciated in the future, or would it all end up being forgotten?
In his poignant autobiography Levensherinneringen, which he completed shortly before his death, he wonders: how long before the Kingdom of God arrives? Hoe lang nog? (How much longer?) is a complete edition of Levensherinneringen from 1934, with an introduction and enriched with excerpts from other autobiographical documents. In addition to being a gifted painter and composer, Von Brucken Fock proved to be an excellent writer. He describes his life among musicians, painters, and kindred spirits in a melancholic style. Including Richard Strauss, Willem Mengelberg, Jan Toorop, Isaac Israëls, and singers with whom he fell in love.
How much longer? offers a glimpse into the soul of the struggling von Brucken Fock. After a lifelong struggle in and around the arts, he found some peace in faith. QR codes in the book allow readers to listen to Von Brucken Fock's compositions directly on the author's YouTube channel. There are many gems to be found there.