Classical music

   Many Dutch orchestras and choirs, both pro fessional and amateur, have performed various styles and genres of classical music. The Netherlands, however, did not produce many great composers. During the 19th century, the Dutch audience mostly listened to works of Germans. The admired composer Johann Wil helm Wilms (1772–1847) set the Dutch anthem “Wien Neerlands Bloed” to music. Dutch composer Johannes Verhulst (1816–1891), a pupil of Felix Mendelssohn, wrote various songs and orchestral mu sic and became well known abroad, too. Two other 19th-century Dutch composers were Julius Rontgen and Alphons Diepenbrock. As a conductor, Willem Mengelberg put his mark on Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw Orchestra for half a century (1895–1945). Peter van Anrooy (1879–1954) composed the still popular Piet Hein Rhap sodie (1901) and served as conductor of the Residentie Orkest (The Hague’s philharmonic) from 1917 until 1935. Composer Willem Pij per also became known as a scathing music critic. Other talented Dutch composers of the 20th century included Simeon ten Holt (1923– ), Peter Schat (1935–2003), and Louis Andriessen (1939– ). Sopranos Gre Brouwenstijn (1915–1999), Cristina Deutekom (1931– ), and Elly Ameling (1933– ) and mezzo-soprano Jard van Nes (1948– ) were famous performers of classical songs and opera. Bernard Haitink (1929– ) received international fame as a conductor, and violinist Jaap van Zweden (1960– ) has already proved to be a promising conductor of several Dutch orchestras. The Nederlands Blazers Ensemble of wind instruments, which was formed by soloists from the most important Dutch symphony orchestras in 1959, has performed all around the world. The Amsterdam Concertgebouw, opened in 1888, is still considered as one of the best concert halls in the world. The Netherlands has about 10 conservatories.

   See also Organ music; Theater; “Wilhelmus”