Ketting, Piet

Ketting, Piet, Dutch pianist, conductor, and composer, father of Otto Ketting; b. Haarlem, Nov. 29, 1904; d. Rotterdam, May 25, 1984. He studied with Averkamp in Utrecht, then took composition lessons with Pijper (1926–32). As a pianist, he formed a duo with the flutist Johan Feltkamp (1927), and a trio with Feltkamp and oboist Jaap Stotijn (1935). From 1930 to 1956 he taught at the Rotterdam Cons.; also served as director of the Amsterdam Music Lyceum (1946–19). He was founder-conductor of the Rotterdam Chamber Choir (1937–60) and Orch. (1949–60). From 1960 to 1974 he immersed himself in the numerical symbolism of J.S. Bach’s works. In his own works, he pursued a modern Baroque system of composition, with a discreet application of euphonious dissonance.

Works

orch.: 2 syms. (1929, 1975); Sinfonia for Cello and Orch. (1963; radio perf., Dec. 1, 1965); Bassoon Concertino (1968); Clarinet Concertino (1973); Tema con 6 variazioni, in modo cabalistico, for Flute and Orch. (1976); Concertone 1980 for Viola, Winds, and Percussion (1980).chamber: String Trio (1925); 3 string quartets (1927–28); Cello Sonata (1928); Trio for Flute, Clarinet, and Bassoon (1929); Flute Sonata (1930); Sonata for Flute, Oboe, and Piano (1936); Partita for 2 Flutes (1936); Fantasia No. 1 for Harpsichord, Descant, and Treble Recorders and Flute (1969) and No. 2 for Harpsichord (1972); Preludium e Fughetta for Alto Flute and Piano (1969).p i a n o: 4 sonatinas (1926, 1926, 1927, 1929); Prelude, Interlude and Postlude for 2 Pianos (1971).vocal:De minnedeuntjes (The Love Songs) for Chorus and Orch. (1966-67; Dutch Radio, May 9, 1968); Jazon and Medea, dramatic scene for Chorus, Piano, Flute, and Clarinet (1975).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire