Muziekencyclopedie - Gerard Drieman

Gerard Drieman

Gerard Drieman was a Dutch composer of 20th-century classical music.
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Biography Gerard Drieman

Gerard Drieman was a Dutch composer of 20th-century classical music.

1915 - 1933

Gerhardus Hendricus Johannes Drieman, known as Gerard Drieman, was born in Amsterdam on December 17, 1915. From the age of five he was having piano lessons. Although he became a good pianist, severe asthma prevented him from going to conservatory or performing in public.

1934

More or less self-taught but very well informed, Gerard Drieman began composing at the age of nineteen. His early works were composed in a neo-classical symphonic style, inspired by the works of Anton Bruckner and Gustav Mahler:
• Symphony No 1 (1935)
• Chamber Symphony (1936)

1936 - 1937

In 1936 and 1937 Drieman composed an extensive symphony in three movements, of which the first two movements have been lost. Nevertheless, the third movement or Finale is on its own individual merits an extensive work for symphony orchestra and female choir (soprano). In parts of the Finale polytonal and polyrhythmic composition techniques have been used. Its large Latin choral is adopted from Prudentius’ ancient Christian hymn Deus ignee fons animarum:
• Symphony No 2, Finale (3rd movement) (1936-1937)

1938 - 1950

In 1936 Drieman met the Viennese composer Hans Erich Apostel (1901-1972). Apostel had studied with Arnold Schoenberg and Alban Berg. Thereupon Gerard Drieman made a shift in his music. From 1938 onwards his compositions became short and tended increasingly towards the style of the Second Viennese School, also known as Schoenberg School. Although the structure of Drieman’s later music is not strictly serial, it is without any repeating of motifs. Melody becomes increasingly subordinate and negligible; variations of sound, timbre and tempo become essential. His later compositions, in particular his piano works, can be typified as expressionist music:
• Sonatina for Flute, Oboe and Clarinet (1938)
• Two Pieces for String Quartet (1938)
• Divertimento for Piano (1939)
• Five Pieces for Orchestra (1942)
• Thirty-five Miniatures for Piano (1945-1946)
• Five Pieces for Piano (1948)
• Sonata for Violin and Piano (1950)
• Sonatina for Piano (1950)

A characteristic feature of Drieman’s music from 1936 onwards is found in movements with extraordinarily slow tempi. Apparently, these extremely slow parts are intending to create a certain degree of tension, appealing to the subjective impression of time.

1951 - 1980

Gerard Drieman composed from 1934 until 1950. From 1951 onwards he turned his full attention to pursuits that had nothing to do with music. He died in his home city of Amsterdam on August 2, 1980, aged 64.

Albums | Singles | Compilations | Other | Guestperformance

In the discography you will find all recordings that have been released listed chronologically. We restrict ourselves to the title, the type of audio, year of publication or recording, label, list of guest musicians, plus any comments on the issue.