Role

:

Composer

 

Kees Olthuis is a Dutch composer of classical music, born on August 22, 1940, in Rotterdam, Netherlands. He grew up in a musical family, with his father being a conductor and his mother a pianist. Olthuis started playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the clarinet and saxophone. He studied composition at the Rotterdam Conservatory and later at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague. Olthuis' early works were influenced by the avant-garde movement of the 1960s, with his compositions featuring experimental techniques and unconventional instrumentation. He was also influenced by the works of composers such as Igor Stravinsky, Anton Webern, and Pierre Boulez. In the 1970s, Olthuis began to incorporate more traditional elements into his compositions, such as tonality and melody. He also started to focus on writing for larger ensembles, such as orchestras and wind ensembles. One of his most notable works from this period is his Symphony No. 1, which was premiered in 1978 by the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra. Throughout his career, Olthuis has composed works for a variety of ensembles, including orchestras, wind ensembles, chamber groups, and solo instruments. He has also written music for film, television, and theater productions. One of Olthuis' most well-known works is his Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Wind Orchestra, which was commissioned by the Dutch Ministry of Culture in 1991. The piece features a solo saxophone accompanied by a wind ensemble and has been performed by saxophonists around the world. Olthuis has also written several works for the Dutch Royal Family, including a piece for the inauguration of King Willem-Alexander in 2013. He has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to classical music, including the Order of the Netherlands Lion and the Johan Wagenaar Prize. In addition to his work as a composer, Olthuis has also been a teacher and mentor to many young musicians. He has taught at several conservatories in the Netherlands and has served as a guest lecturer at universities around the world. Overall, Kees Olthuis is a highly respected composer in the world of classical music. His works have been performed by some of the world's leading orchestras and ensembles, and his contributions to the field have been recognized with numerous awards and honors.

More....