Masséus, Jan

Masséus, Jan, Dutch composer; b. Rotterdam, Jan. 28, 1913; d. Bilthoven, Feb. 15, 1999. He received training in piano from Callenbach and Aribo and in composition from Badings, the latter continuing as his mentor at the Rotterdam Cons.; later he worked in the electronic music studio of the Delft Technical H.S. He was a music critic in Rotterdam (1956–60), and then director of the Leeuwarden Music School (1961–72).

Works

orch. :Sinfonietta for Chamber Orch. (1952); Concerto for Violin and Chamber Orch. (1953); Concerto for 2 Flutes and Orch. (1956); Cassazione, 4 dances for Small Orch. (1960); 2 piano concertos (1966, 1994); Iowa Serenade (1981); Skriabinade, symphonic suite (1983); Homo Ludens (1986); Nada Brahma (1988); Pandora (1991; rev. 1992). chamber: 2 violin sonatas (1946, 1950); Trio for Flute, Violin, and Piano (1948); Quintetto for Piano and String Quartet (1952); Introduction and Allegro for Oboe, Clarinet, and Piano (1952); Partita for Violin and Piano (1956); Flute Sonata (1957); Serenade for Oboe, Bassoon, Violin, and Viola (1958); 7 Minutes of Organized Sound for 3 Winds, Guitar, and Percussion (1968); Contemplations for Brass Ensemble (1972); Concertino for 5 Accordions and Flute (1977); Sept pièces breves for Oboe, Clarinet, and Piano (1980); Le secret de l’âme for Oboe and Percussion (1989); 7 Miniaturen for Violin, Cello, and Piano (1993); De rieten wereld for 12 Saxophones (1995). piano:Symphonic Fantasy for 2 Pianos (1947); Helicon Suite for Piano, 4-Hands (1952); Zoological Impressions for Piano, 4-Hands (1954); Balletto piccola for 2 Pianos (1955); Confetti for Piano, 4-Hands (1969); Pentatude, 5 studies (1974); Tango festivo (1989). vocal:Gezelle liederen for Soprano, Alto, Piano, 4-Hands, and Percussion (1955); Camphuysen-liederen for Chorus, 3 Trumpets, 3 Trombones, and Tuba (1967); 4 Songs for Chorus, 9 Brasses, Double Bass, and Percussion (1970); The 7 Tile Tableaux for Baritone, Brass Instruments, Double Bass, and Percussion (1973); Schermutselingen for Chorus and Orch. (Leeuwarden, Dec. 17, 1975); Het meezennestje for Chorus and Piano (1979); Triptyque maconnique for Bass, Flute, and Organ (1981); Drentse metamorfosen for Chorus and Orch. (1985); In memoriam Lucia for Soprano, Chorus, and Organ (1987); De eenling for Chorus (1992).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire