Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Country

:

Netherlands

Birth

:

September 8, 1938 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Death

:

February 14, 2020 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Period

:

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Choral

 

 

Keyboard

 

Reinbert de Leeuw was a Dutch conductor, pianist, and composer who was born on September 8, 1938, in Amsterdam, Netherlands. He was one of the most prominent figures in the classical music scene in the Netherlands and was known for his innovative and unconventional approach to music. De Leeuw began his musical career as a pianist, studying at the Amsterdam Conservatory under Jaap Spaanderman. He made his debut as a soloist in 1960, performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 with the Amsterdam Philharmonic Orchestra. He quickly gained a reputation as a talented pianist and went on to perform with many of the leading orchestras in Europe. In addition to his work as a pianist, de Leeuw was also interested in conducting and began studying with Franco Ferrara in Italy. He made his conducting debut in 1974 with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra and quickly established himself as a skilled and innovative conductor. One of de Leeuw's most significant contributions to the classical music world was his work as a champion of contemporary music. He was a strong advocate for the music of Dutch composers such as Louis Andriessen and Peter Schat and was instrumental in bringing their work to a wider audience. He also worked closely with composers such as György Ligeti and Karlheinz Stockhausen, conducting premieres of their works and helping to establish their reputations as leading figures in contemporary music. De Leeuw was particularly interested in the music of French composer Erik Satie and was responsible for bringing many of Satie's lesser-known works to the attention of the public. He also recorded several albums of Satie's music, including a critically acclaimed recording of the complete piano works. Throughout his career, de Leeuw received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the classical music world. In 1994, he was awarded the prestigious Edison Award for his recording of Louis Andriessen's De Staat. He was also awarded the Order of the Netherlands Lion in 2008 for his contributions to Dutch culture. One of de Leeuw's most memorable performances was his 2016 performance of Bach's St. Matthew Passion with the Netherlands Chamber Choir and the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra. The performance was widely praised for its emotional intensity and innovative approach to the work. De Leeuw continued to perform and conduct well into his seventies, and his contributions to the classical music world will be remembered for many years to come. He passed away on February 14, 2020, at the age of 81, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and creativity in the world of classical music.

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