Johan Wagenaar

Wagenaar (1912)

Johan Wagenaar (born November 1, 1862 in Utrecht , † June 17, 1941 in The Hague ) was a Dutch composer and organist .

Life

Johan Wagenaar was born the son of the nobleman Cypriaan Gerard Berger van Hengst. The mother came from a humble background and the social circumstances of the time did not permit marriage. Wagenaar grew up in rather poor circumstances and was given the maternal surname.

Although he showed musical talent at an early age, Wagenaar only began taking lessons in piano, violin, theory and composition from the age of 13. His first organ teachers were the composer Richard Hol and the organist Samuel de Lange . In 1892 he took lessons in counterpoint from Heinrich von Herzogenberg in Berlin .

Wagenaar played as a violinist in the Utrecht City Orchestra. Since 1887 he had a position as a theory teacher at the music school in Utrecht, in 1888 he - u. a. for his interpretation of Bach's works and a valued improviser - organist at Utrecht Cathedral. In 1896 he was appointed director of the Utrecht Music School. In 1916 he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Utrecht . From 1919 to 1937 Wagenaar was director of the Royal Conservatory in The Hague. He was also active as a choir conductor in Utrecht, Arnhem , Leiden and The Hague, and directed the Dutch premieres of numerous national and international compositions.

Wagenaar's students included Willem Pijper , Peter van Anrooy and his son Bernard Wagenaar .

His grave is in the Dutch cemetery Oud Eik en Duinen in The Hague .

plant

As one of the leading Dutch composers of his time, Wagenaar created operas, cantatas, organ music and orchestral works, in particular several overtures. In his colorfully orchestrated compositions, which often have humorous traits in the music-dramatic works, stylistic influences from Hector Berlioz and even more from Richard Strauss can be recognized.

Selection of works

De schipbreuk , cantata (1889)
De doge van Venetië , opera based on Shakespeare (1899)
Driekoningenavond , Overture after Shakespeare
King Lear , Overture op. 9, based on Shakespeare
Cyrano de Bergerac , Overture op.23 (1905)
Saul en David , symphonic poem op.24 (1906)
De getemde feeks , Overture after Shakespeare (1909)
De Cid , Opera (1916)
Amphitrion , Overture op.45 (1938)
Calme des nuits , for a cappella choir

source

Wagenaar, Johan. In: MGG Online (subscription required).

Web links

personal data
SURNAME	Wagenaar, Johan
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	Dutch composer and organist
DATE OF BIRTH	November 1, 1862
PLACE OF BIRTH	Utrecht
DATE OF DEATH	June 17, 1941
Place of death	The hague