Frans Brüggen was a renowned Dutch conductor, recorder player, and musicologist, born on December 30, 1934, in Amsterdam. He was a prominent figure in the early music movement, advocating for the performance of music from the Renaissance and Baroque periods using period instruments. Brüggen founded the Orkest van de Achttiende Eeuw (Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century) and was known for his interpretations of works by composers like Bach and Vivaldi. In addition to his work as a conductor, Brüggen was an accomplished soloist on the recorder, a woodwind instrument popular in early music. He studied at the Amsterdam Conservatory and later became a professor at various institutions, sharing his expertise with new generations of musicians. Brüggen's contributions to music have left a lasting impact on the appreciation and performance of historical repertoire.