Loevendie, Theo

Loevendie, Theo, Dutch composer and teacher; b. Amsterdam, Sept. 17, 1930. He received training in composition and clarinet at the Amsterdam Cons. (1956–61). He began his career as a jazz musician and appeared with his own group at many European festivals. From 1968 he devoted increasing attention to composing serious music. He served as prof. of composition at the Rotterdam Cons. (1970–88), the Royal Cons, of Music at The Hague (1988–97), and at the Sweelinck Cons, in Amsterdam (from 1995). He also led many master classes around the world. In 1984 he was cowinner of the Koussevitzky International Record Award, in 1986 he received the Matthijs Vermuelen Prize, and in 1988 the 3M Music Award for his entire creative life’s work.

Works

dramatic: Opera: Naima (1985); Gassier, the Hero, chamber opera (1990; Boston, May 1991); Esmée (1994). orch.:Confluxus for Jazz and Sym. Orchs. (1966); Scaramuccia for Clarinet and Orch. (1969); Incantations for Bass Clarinet and Orch. (1975); Orbits for Horn and Orch. (1976); Flexio (1979; rev. 1981); Bons for Improviser on Any Instrument and Chamber Orch. (1991); Piano Concerto (1995); Vanishing Dances, violin concerto (1998). chamber: 3 Pieces for 3 Clarinets (1968); 10 Easy Sketches for Clarinet and Piano (1970); Music for Bass Clarinet and Piano (1971); Aulos for 1 or More Instruments (1972; rev. 1975); 2 Trios for 3 Percussion (1973); Timbo for 6 Percussion (1974); Prelude for 6 Percussion (1974; rev. 1980); Music for Flute and Piano (1979); Nonet (1980); Venus and Adonis Suite for Clarinet, Violin, Mandolin, Guitar, and Percussion (1981); Back Bay Bicinium for 7 Instruments (1986); Plus One for Flute, Bass Clarinet, and Piano (1988); Cycles for Violin, Clarinet, and Piano (1992); Que pasa en la calle? for 4 Trumpets (1996); The Young Violinist (Shuffle, Blues, Aksak) for Violin and Piano (1997); 2 Mediterranean Dances for Clarinet, Trumpet, and Bassoon (1998); Golliwogg’s Other Dances for Clarinet, Trumpet, and Bassoon (1998); Twins for Marimba and Vibraphone (1999); Brothers for Marimba and Vibraphone (1999).piano:Strides (1976); Voor Jan, Piet en Klaas for 2 Pianos (1979); Walk (1985). vocal:6 Turkish Folk Poems for Soprano or Mezzo-soprano and 7 Instruments (1977); De nachtegaal for Reciter and 7 Instruments (1979); Oh oor o hoor: Herfst der muziek, Spreken praten..., Visser van Ma Yuan, Nocturne, Het einde for Bassbaritone and Orch. (1987); A Nightingale from Echternach for Soprano or Mezzo-soprano and Piano (1989); Sonate voor stem for Man’s or Woman’s Voice (1990).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire