Jef "Joseph" Maes (5 April 1905 in

Antwerp Antwerp (; nl, Antwerpen ; french: Anvers ; es, Amberes) is the largest city in Belgium by area at and the capital of Antwerp Province in the Flemish Region. With a population of 520,504,

– 30 June 1996 in Antwerp) was a

Belgian Belgian may refer to: * Something of, or related to, Belgium * Belgians, people from Belgium or of Belgian descent * Languages of Belgium, languages spoken in Belgium, such as Dutch, French, and German *Ancient Belgian language, an extinct languag ...

composer A composer is a person who writes music. The term is especially used to indicate composers of Western classical music, or those who are composers by occupation. Many composers are, or were, also skilled performers of music. Etymology and Defi ...

and

violist ; german: Bratsche , alt=Viola shown from the front and the side , image=Bratsche.jpg , caption= , background=string , hornbostel_sachs=321.322-71 , hornbostel_sachs_desc=Composite chordophone sounded by a bow , range= , related= *Violin family ...

. Encouraged by his friend,

André Cluytens André Cluytens (, ; born Augustin Zulma Alphonse Cluytens; 26 March 19053 June 1967)Baeck E. ''André Cluytens: Itinéraire d’un chef d’orchestre.'' Editions Mardaga, Wavre, 2009. was a Belgian-born French conductor who was active in the con ...

, he completed his study at the Flemish conservatory in

Antwerp Antwerp (; nl, Antwerpen ; french: Anvers ; es, Amberes) is the largest city in Belgium by area at and the capital of Antwerp Province in the Flemish Region. With a population of 520,504,

. He studied

viola The viola ( , also , ) is a string instrument that is bow (music), bowed, plucked, or played with varying techniques. Slightly larger than a violin, it has a lower and deeper sound. Since the 18th century, it has been the middle or alto voice of ...

with Napoleon Distelmans;

chamber music Chamber music is a form of classical music that is composed for a small group of instruments—traditionally a group that could fit in a palace chamber or a large room. Most broadly, it includes any art music that is performed by a small numb ...

with Albert van de Vijver; and

counterpoint In music, counterpoint is the relationship between two or more musical lines (or voices) which are harmonically interdependent yet independent in rhythm and melodic contour. It has been most commonly identified in the European classical tradi ...

and fuge with Karel Candael. When he was 23 years old, he composed his first work, which was a romantic ''Meditation'' for violin and piano. After his studies, he was employed for two years as a violist in the opera orchestra in Antwerp; in 1926 he participated in an orchestra under the conductorship of

Lodewijk de Vocht Lodewijk () is the Dutch name for Louis. In specific it may refer to: Given name Literature * Lodewijk Hartog van Banda (1916–2006), Dutch comic strip writer * Lodewijk Paul Aalbrecht Boon, (1912-1979) Flemish writer * Lodewijk van Deyssel, ...

, ''Nieuwe Concerten''. In 1930 he was a soloist with the well-known ''Dierentuin'' concerts in Antwerp, directed by

Flor Alpaerts Flor Alpaerts ( Antwerp, 12 September 1876 – Antwerp, 5 October 1954) was a Belgian conductor, pedagogue and composer. He graduated from the ''Vlaamse Muziekschool'' in 1901. He was artistic director of the Peter Benoit Foundation, co-direct ...

. Afterwards he was a violist for about 10 years with the Casino Orchestra at

Knokke Casino Knokke Casino (also called Knokke-Heist Casino; french: Casino de Knokke; nl, Casino Knokke) is a sea-front casino in the town of Knokke, in the administrative community Knokke-Heist, in the province of West Flanders in Flanders, Belgium. Descrip ...

. In 1933 he lectured at the music academy in

Boom, Antwerp Boom (, ; ) is a Belgian town, located in both the arrondissement and province of Antwerp. In 2021, Boom had a total population of 18,799. The total area is 7.37 km² (2.85 sq mi). Residents are known as "Boomenaren". Since 2005, Boom has hosted ...

; ten years later he was appointed director of the academy. From 1942 to 1955 he lectured in harmony teachings at the Royal Flämi Conservatory in Antwerp. He also lectured in chamber music from 1955 to 1970. Along with Gaston Ariën, J.A. Zwijsen and Steven Candael, Maes founded the Antwerpse Philharmonie (Antwerp Philharmonic Orchestra) in 1955, their first concert given on December 10, 1956. The orchestra is now known as the

Royal Flemish Philharmonic The Antwerp Symphony Orchestra is the symphony orchestra of Flanders (Belgium), based in the Queen Elisabeth Hall in Antwerp. The orchestra is led by chief conductor Elim Chan and honorary conductor Philippe Herreweghe. The organisation, which is ...

or ''DeFilharmonie'', and is officially called

Antwerp Symphony Orchestra The Antwerp Symphony Orchestra is the symphony orchestra of Flanders (Belgium), based in the Queen Elisabeth Hall in Antwerp. The orchestra is led by chief conductor Elim Chan and honorary conductor Philippe Herreweghe. The organisation, which is o ...

. Beginning in 1961 he led the annual International Music Camp, organized through "youth and music" in Belgium during the summer holidays. He was also a musical mentor in

Turnhout Turnhout () is a Belgium, Belgian Municipalities in Belgium, municipality and city located in the Flemish Region, Flemish Provinces of Belgium, province of Antwerp (province), Antwerp. The municipality comprises only the city of Turnhout proper. ...

Selected works

;Opera * ''Marise'' (1946) * ''De antikwaar'', Television Opera (1959); libretto by

Anton van Wilderode Cyriel Paul Coupé (1918–1998) was a Belgian diocesan priest, teacher, writer and poet, also known by the pseudonym Anton van Wilderode. Life Coupé was born in Moerbeke-Waas on 28 June 1918. He was ordained as a priest on 21 May 1944 in the D ...

;Ballet * ''Tu auras nom... Tristan'' (1964); after

Joseph Bedier Joseph is a common male given name, derived from the Hebrew Yosef (יוֹסֵף). "Joseph" is used, along with "Josef", mostly in English, French and partially German languages. This spelling is also found as a variant in the languages of the mo ...

;Orchestra * ''Drie rythmen in dansvorm'' (Three Rhythms in Dance Form) (1931) * ''Concertstück'' (Concert Piece) (1938) * ''Overtura buffa'' (1939) * ''Symfonie in G'' (Symphony No. 1) (1953) * ''Ouverture concertante'' (1961) * Symphony No. 2 in A major (1965) * ''Partita'' for string orchestra (1966) * ''Praeludium, Pantomime, Scherzo'' (1966) * ''De verloofden'' for chamber orchestra (1969) * ''Mei 1871'' for speaker and orchestra (1971) * Symphony No. 3 (1975) * ''Intrada'' (1980) ;Wind orchestra * ''Vijf volksdansen'' (Five Folk Dances) (1956) * ''Bel canto Ouverture'' (1967) * ''Suite'' (1977) * ''Feestouverture'' (Festival Overture) ;Concertante * ''Meditatie'' (Meditation) for violin and orchestra (1929) * ''Légende'' for violin and orchestra (1933) * ''Arabeske en scherzo'' (Arabesque and Scherzo) for flute and orchestra (1935) * Concerto for viola and orchestra (1937) * Concerto for viola and orchestra (1943) * ''Concertstuk'' (Concert Piece) for trombone and orchestra (1944) * Concerto o. 1for piano and orchestra (1948) * Concerto for violin and orchestra (1951) * Concerto for harpsichord and string orchestra (1955) * ''Burlesque'' for bassoon and orchestra (1957) * ''Dialoog'' (Dialogue) for violin and orchestra (1973) * Concerto No. 2 for piano and orchestra (1975) ;Chamber music * ''Meditatie'' (Meditation) for violin and piano (1927) * ''Andante rustique'' for viola and piano (1934) * ''Sonata in D'' for violin and piano (1934) * ''Sonatine'' for flute and viola (1934) * ''Arabeske en scherzo'' (Arabesque and Scherzo) for flute and piano (1935); also orchestrated * ''Intermezzo'' for viola and piano (1935) * ''Concertstuk'' for trombone (or tuba, or oboe, or bassoon) and piano (1944) * ''Burlesque'' for bassoon and piano (1957); also orchestrated * ''Concertstuk'' for trumpet and piano (1957) * ''Nocturne'' for guitar (1959) * ''Prélude et allegro'' for brass quintet (1959) * Duo for violin and piano (1962) * ''Etude No. 17'' for timpani and piano (1962) * Trio for violin, viola and percussion (1964) * ''Vier kontrasten'' (4 Contrasts) for 4 clarinets (1965) * ''Divertimento'' for viola or violin and piano (1966) * ''Impromptu'' for cello and piano (1966) * ''Studie'' (Etude) for double bass and piano (1966) * Quintet for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and piano (1968) * Suite for percussion and piano (1968) * String Quartet (1970) * ''Studie'' (Etude) for violin solo (1978) * ''Saxo-scope'' for 4 saxophones (1979) * ''Kamermuziek'' (Chamber Music) for flute, violin, guitar and cello (1981) * Trio for 2 flutes and cello (1985) * ''Sérénade fantasque'' for violin and piano ;Keyboard * ''Etude No. 2 in E'' for piano (1960) * ''Pavane'' for harpsichord (1965) * ''Studie'' for organ (1966) * ''Divertimento'' o. 1for piano (1970) * ''Divertimento No. 2'' for piano (1977) * ''Serenade voor Sylvia'' for piano (1981) ;Vocal * ''Drie gedichten'' (Three Poems) for vocal quartet (1927) * ''Wees blij'' for voice and orchestra (1936) * ''Wandellied'' for medium voice and piano (1947) * ''Rosa Mystica'' for soprano and piano or orchestra (1958) ;Choral * ''Vierstemmige mis'' for male chorus and organ or orchestra (1962) * ''Vier oude Volksliederen'' (Four Old Folk Songs) for mixed chorus and orchestra (1968) * ''Klaaglied om de verdwenen reigers'' for mixed chorus and piano (1971) * ''Zomer'' for mixed chorus a cappella (1973) ;Incidental music * ''Het raadsel'', Incidental music (1938); play by

Jef Mennekens Jef is a Dutch-language masculine given name primarily used in Belgium. It is a short form of Jozef/ Josef, used also in Breton. People with the name include: *Jef Billings (born 1945), American figure skating costume designer * Jef Boeke (born ...

* ''Ezelsvel'', Incidental music (1942); play by

Henri Ghéon Henri Ghéon (15 March 1875 – 13 June 1944), born Henri Vangeon in Bray-sur-Seine, Seine-et-Marne, was a French playwright, novelist, poet and critic. Biography Brought up by a devout Roman Catholic mother, he lost his faith in his early teens ...

* ''Momotaro'', Incidental music (1943); play by

Edgar Den Haene Edgar is a commonly used English given name, from an Anglo-Saxon name ''Eadgar'' (composed of '' ead'' "rich, prosperous" and '' gar'' "spear"). Like most Anglo-Saxon names, it fell out of use by the later medieval period; it was, however, r ...

based on ''

Momotarō is a Folk hero, popular hero of Japanese folklore. His name is often translated as ''Peach Boy'', but is directly translated as ''Peach + Tarō (given name), Tarō'', a common Japanese given name. ''Momotarō'' is also the title of various books, ...

'' from Japanese folklore * ''Tim en de Chinese klok'', Incidental music (1943); play by

Martien De Beuck Martien is both a given name and a surname. Notable people with the name include: * Martien Houtkooper (1891–1961), Dutch footballer * Martien Kas (born 1966), Dutch neuroscientist * Martien Vreijsen (born 1955), Dutch footballer * Samuel W. Mart ...

* ''Saidjah'', Incidental music (1946) * ''O ha, de negerjongen'', Incidental music (1952) * ''Lorre, de papegaai van de more keizer'', Incidental music (1953); play by Eugeen De Ridder * ''Witje'', Incidental music (1953); play by

Alphonse Daudet Alphonse Daudet (; 13 May 184016 December 1897) was a French novelist. He was the husband of Julia Daudet and father of Edmée, Léon and Lucien Daudet. Early life Daudet was born in Nîmes, France. His family, on both sides, belonged to the ''bo ...

* ''Wij spelen Indiaan'', Incidental music (1955); words by T. Brown and H. Finchnar * ''De boom die leerde spreken'', Incidental music (1958); words by Eugène Winters

External links

Jef Maes at CeBeDeM

Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel
now houses most works and manuscripts of Maes, after the bankruptcy of CeBeDeM in 2015. {{DEFAULTSORT:Maes, Jef 1905 births 1996 deaths Belgian composers Male composers Belgian classical violists Musicians from Antwerp 20th-century classical musicians 20th-century composers 20th-century Belgian male musicians 20th-century violists