Van de Woestijne, David

Van de Woestijne, David, Belgian composer; b. Llanidloes, Wales, Feb. 18, 1915; d. Brussels, May 18, 1979. He was the son of the painter Gustav van de Woestijne and the nephew of the Flemish poet Karel van de Woestijne. After studies in harmony and counterpoint with Defauw and Gilson, he took lessons with Espla. Van de Woestijne’s music reflects the trends of cosmopolitan modernism.

Works

dramatic: Opera: Le Débat de la folie et de l’amour,opera-ballet (1959); De zoemende musikant,television opera (1967); Graal 68 ou L’Impromptu de Gand (Ghent, 1968). ORCH.: Double Concerto for Piano, Cello, and Orch. (1935); Fantasiafor Oboe and Orch. (1936); Piano Concerto (1938); Balladefor Piano and Orch. (1940); Concerto for Violin and 12 Solo Instruments (1945); Sérénadesfor Piano, 12 Wind Instruments, Double Bass, and Percussion (1946; Copenhagen, June 2, 1947); Sym. (1958); Sym. in 1 Movement (1965); Concertino da camerafor Flute, Oboe, and Strings (1967); Concerto for 2 Pianos and Orch. (1972); Concerto for String Quartet, 14 Wind Instruments, and Double Bass (1974); Hommage à Purcellfor Harpsichord and Strings (1974); Eénentwintigfor Piano, 19 Winds, and Double Bass (1976). CHAMBER: Divertimentofor Oboe, Clarinet, and Bassoon (1942); Quintet for Flute, Oboe, Violin, Viola, and Cello (1953); Violin Sonata (1956); Variationsfor 7 Instruments (1965); Sarabandefor 2 Guitars (1965); Devant une sculpturefor 12 Instruments (1969); String Quartet (1970); Notturnofor Flute and Piano (1976); Musicfor Tuba or Saxhorn and Piano (1976); Minuetto capricciosofor Trumpet and Piano (1976). Piano: Toccata (1935); Sonatina (1945); Sonata for 2 Pianos (1955). VOCAL: 2 cantatas: La Belle Cordièrefor Soprano and Orch. (1954) and Les Aéronautesfor Soloists, Chorus, Speaking Chorus, and Orch. (1963); Aswoendag (Ash Wednesday) for Narrator, Soloists, Chorus, and Orch. (1971); songs.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire