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"Music is ... A higher revelation than all Wisdom & Philosophy" - Ludwig van Beethoven

Johan Wagenaar

The Dutch composer, organist, conductor and teacher Johan Wagenaar occupied many important functions in the musical life of his birthplace Utrecht. He was praised for his talent as an improviser as organist of Utrecht cathedral, premiered many foreign works as conductor of the Toonkunst choirs of Utrecht, Leiden and Arnhem and The Hague and educated composers like Willem Pijper, Léon Orthel and Alexander Voormolen as a teacher at the Utrecht music school. In 1916 Wagenaar received an honorary doctorate from Utrecht University for his contributions to Utrecht’s musical life. In 1919 he became director of the Royal Conservatory in The Hague, which he remained until 1937.
As a composer, Wagenaar was a representative of the romantic orchestra tradition with his knowledge of orchestration and talent for lively themes. Programmatic orchestral works like overtures and symphonic poems make up a significant part of his oeuvre. Wagenaar composed in his own, often humorous style, which is influenced by Richard Strauss, Berlioz and Brahms.