A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Blankenburg, Quirin van

BLANKENBURG, Quirin van, born 1654 at Gouda, Licentiate in philosophy and medicine, and organist of the Reformed Church at the Hague, well known for his 'Clavicymbel en Orgelboek der Psalmen en Kirkgezangen' (1732; 3rd ed. 1772). The inscription on his portrait compares him to Orpheus. In honour of the betrothal of the Prince of Orange he composed a collection of pieces in two parts, which might be performed either upright or upside down, forwards or backwards. His 'Elementa Musica' has some value as a theoretical work. Blankenburg died after 1739, but the precise date is not known.

[ F. G. ]