Born: December 7, 1910 - Kampen, Holand
Died: October 28, 2001 - Bergen, Holland

The Dutch pianist, composer, and educator, Gerard Hengeveld, perormed with orchestra already when he was a teenager. From 1924 to 1928 he studied piano with Ulfert Schults and composition with Sem Dresden at the Conservatory of Music in Amsterdam, where he received the Prix d'excellence in 1932 (or 1930). He finished his piano studies with Carl Friedberg in Switzerland.

Gerard Hengeveld appeared for many years as a soloist with European orchsestras and in recitals. He was an able interpreter and performer of the music of Bach for piano and harpsichord. He gave regular concerts at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.

In September 1956 Gerard Hengeveld was appointed as head teacher for piano at the Conservatory of Amsterdam. From 1945 to 1976 he was senior teacher for piano at The Royal Conservatory of Music in The Hague. In 1975, he was appointed as Knight of the Order of Oranje Nassau.

As a composer Gerard Hengeveld is especially known for his numerous pieces for piano for educational purposes. Other compositions include: Violin Sonata (1944); Concertino for Piano and Orchestra (1946); 2 Piano Concertos (1^st - 1947, awarded the Visser Neerlandia-Prize); Cello Sonata (1965); Musica Concertante for Oboe and Chamber Orchestra (1968); folksongs; dance-music, film-music.

Recordings: Gerard Hengeveld plays his works: Partita rhythmique, Suite pour piano à la manière de monsieur Erik Satie, 15 Driestemmige polyphone oefeningen and Thème dans le style de six compositeurs connus (A&A Records). On the CD "Plein zeven" Vera Beths (violin) and Stanley Hoogland (piano) played two parts from the Sonata for violin and piano (KCB). The CD "Onbekend maakt onbemind ? 2" (Q Disc) includes part of his Kleine ouverture uit Menuet en kleine ouverture. Some of his concerts were also captured on record, such as Franck's Symphonic Variations, under the baton of Eduard van Beinum (1939).

Source: Baker’s Biographical Dictionary of 20^th Century Classical Musicians (1997); Wikipedia Website; Kunstbus Website, English translation by Aryeh Oron (June 2007); Classical Composers Database Website (2002)
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (June 2007)

Gerard Hengeveld: Short Biography | Recordings of Instrumental Works
Bach-Hengeveld: Works | Recordings

Links to other Sites

Gerard Hengveld (Wikipedia)
Gerard Henvegeld (Classical Composers Database)

Gerard Henvegeld (Kunstbus) [Dutch]