Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1900

Death

:

1997

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

Cor Kee was a Dutch composer and organist who was born on July 19, 1900, in Zaandam, Netherlands. He was the son of a music teacher and grew up in a musical family. Kee showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of six. He later switched to the organ and became a student of the famous Dutch organist Jan Zwart. Kee's musical education continued at the Amsterdam Conservatory, where he studied composition with Sem Dresden and organ with Cornelis de Wolf. He graduated in 1923 with a degree in organ performance and composition. After graduation, Kee worked as an organist in various churches in the Netherlands, including the Westerkerk in Amsterdam. Kee's compositions were heavily influenced by the Dutch organ tradition, which emphasized the use of improvisation and the incorporation of folk melodies into sacred music. His early works, such as the Prelude and Fugue in C minor for organ, show a strong command of counterpoint and a deep understanding of the organ as an instrument. In 1930, Kee was appointed as the organist of the Grote Kerk in Haarlem, a position he held until his retirement in 1965. During his tenure, he became known for his improvisations, which were often based on hymn tunes and other familiar melodies. He also composed a number of works for the organ, including the Sonata da Chiesa, which is considered one of his most important works. Kee's music was not limited to the organ, however. He also composed choral works, including the Missa Brevis and the Christmas cantata De Geboorte van Christus. His secular works include the Suite for Flute and Piano and the String Quartet No. 1. Kee's music was well-received during his lifetime, and he was awarded the Order of Orange-Nassau in 1965 for his contributions to Dutch music. After his retirement, he continued to compose and teach, and he died on December 25, 1997, at the age of 97. Today, Kee is remembered as one of the most important Dutch composers of the 20th century. His music is characterized by its clarity, simplicity, and elegance, and it continues to be performed and recorded by musicians around the world.

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