Hendrik Andriessen

Dutch composer and organist Hendrik Andriessen was born in Haarlem on 17 September 1892. He studied composition with Bernard Zweers and organ with Jean-Baptiste de Pauw at the Amsterdam Conservatory.

He became organist of Utrecht Cathedral and made a name for his organ improvisations. He also taught composition and music theory at the Amsterdam Conservatory, and also taught in Utrecht at the Institute for Catholic Church Music. He was later director of the Utrecht Conservatory.

During World War II he refused to co-operate with the occupying forces, and so was not allowed many public duties, and was held hostage by the Germans during the second half of 1942.

After the war, he was director of the Royal Conservatory in Den Haag, and an Extraordinary Professor of Musicology at the Catholic University in Nijmegen.

Hendrik Andriessen died in Haarlem on 12 April 1981, aged eighty-eight, leaving a considerable amount of orchestral, chamber, organ and choral works, plus operas, an oratorio, lieder and piano music. His output showed a strong French influence.

His brother was the pianist and composer Willem Andriessen. Hendrik was the father of composers Jurriaan Andriessen and Louis Andriessen and of flautist and pianist Heleen Andriessen and pianist, clavichord player, teacher and composer Caecilia Andriessen.

A selection of M&V articles about Hendrik Andriessen

CD Spotlight. A Master Orchestrator - Symphonic music by Hendrik Andriessen, enjoyed by Geoff Pearce. 'I am really impressed with the music and the performances on this disc ...'