Composer of the Month 10/2012: August de Boeck (selected by Peter van Dessel / Belgium)

Belgium 3.12.1977 The video shows a disk recording of the song "Het Kerksen van te Lande" sung by Kurt Fleming. The notes of the song are shown on the stamp. The Belgian composer and organist Julianus Marie August de Boeck was born on 9 May 1865 in Merchtem. From 1880 he studied at the Brussels Conservatory organ, harmony, counterpoint and fugue, and in 1889 he acquired the rare distinction "Diplôme de capacité" for his virtuoso organ playing. 1892 to 1921 August de Boeck was organist at various churches. From 1909 to 1920 he was professor of harmony at the Royal Flemish Conservatory of Antwerp and then to 1926 at the Conservatory in Brussels. From 1921 to 1930 he was also director of the Conservatory in Mechelen. His post-romantic compositions stylistically are close to those of his friend and teacher Paul Gilson. He also was influenced by Richard Wagner and the Russian music of his time, especially by Rimsky-Korsakov. August de Boeck died on 9 October 1937 in his hometown Merchtem. October 2012 is the 75th anniversary of his death. More composer can be found in the members only section