Musical Biography of Gerry F. Christine van Ravenzwaay
Gerry Christine1 received her piano lessons in Amsterdam (NL) from Goffe van Gelder (1917 - 1977) from the age of 7 to 24 years old. At the beginning of the 80s, she took lessons with Willem and Noortje Brons (NL).
From 1975 until 1985, she formed a trio with soprano singer Miep Lijftogt-van Gelder (1923 - 2017) and alto singer Leida Joosse - Boone (1931 - 2004).
In 1988 she started the “Matinée Musicale” with her husband Willem Okkerse: concerts at home and at other locations with (semi)professional musician friends. In 1977 Goffe van Gelder gave a concert in Palais Palffy in Vienna with Gerry Christine and another pupil.
2017 was the year that Gerry Christine, together with his daughter, organised a Memorial Concert for the 100th birthday of Goffe van Gelder, where 10 of his old-pupils have played.
She has always combined her work as an independent personal development coach, to a greater or lesser extent, with playing the piano. As a work- and organizational psychologist, she has developed her own psycho-spiritual approach, called “Master over Mind™”. An effective and lasting way of solving your personal problems aimed at connecting with your essence beyond your mind for profound healing and inner peace.
She uses meditating, being familiar with Buddhism since 30 years, with the culmination point of getting into contact with Shingon Buddhism and receiving the initiating name Bon No from Jomio Tanaka (1946).
Since 2010, Gerry Christine has experienced the spiritual presence of her dear teacher Goffe van Gelder.
György & György Cziffra jr.
From 2012, Gerry Christine receives inspiring ‘Directions’ from György Cziffra (1921 - 1994), the most eminent pianist, improvisor and composer (of transcriptions). Born in Hungary, he had to flee to France in 1956. He is, amongst other things, famous for his innovative interpretations of Liszt and the virtuosity (‘mon élan de coeur’) and profoundness of his performances. Immediately, Gerry Christine started to carefully write down the ‘Directions’ she received. At the moment, work is being done to disclose the musical and spiritual wisdom and experiences of György Cziffra and his son György Cziffra (1941 - 1981), conductor and pianist, in the form of a ‘Book’ and articles. ‘An All-encompassing Approach to Classical Music’ is aiming to lead the musician to the essence of music. The ‘Book’ will be published by Fondation Cziffra, founded in 1974 by György Cziffra and established in the Chapelle Royale Saint Frambourg in Senlis (F).
In 1973 György Cziffra bought and completely restored the Chapelle St. Frambourg - in benevolent gratitude the artist Joan Miró provided different designs for most windows - and the renamed ‘Auditorium Franz Liszt’ is to Cziffra’s wish ‘dedicated to all arts and all religions’.
Gerry Christine gives benefit concerts. The revenues of both the concerts and the ‘Book’ as well as other means, like CD’s, articles and (experience) lectures who frame their wisdom, will be allocated for 1/3 to the Cziffra Foundation Master over Mind, for 1/3 to the Fondation Cziffra and 1/3 is reserved for out-of-pocket expenses.
In 2018 the INTRODUCTION of the first CD is to be expected: here the first ‘information’ from György & György Cziffra will be unveiled, related to the performed musicpieces (Bach, Chopin and Liszt).
‘The names of György & György Cziffra are significant
in sending out the message
that the Beauty and Harmony of Classical Music go beyond
political systems and our personal thoughts, doubts and fears,
so that Classical Music should touch as many hearts as possible
to awaken Love
in as many people as possible’.
To safeguard and disseminate this mission of György & György Cziffra the Cziffra Foundation Master over Mind was founded by Gerry Christine.
1. www.czifframom.org E
2. wikipedia Goffe van Gelder (under construction)
3. www.ok-score.eu
4. www.fondation-cziffra.com
XI - 2017