Theo Verbey

{{Short description|Dutch composer (1959–2019)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2016}}

thumb|right|Theo Verbey

'''Theo Verbey''' (5 July 1959 – 13 October 2019) was a Dutch composer. His style could be considered to be associated with Postmodern music. Verbey was also orchestrated Alban Berg's Piano Sonata, Op. 1 in 1984 while still a student.

==Biography== His earliest musical memories were of singing nursery rhymes with one of his numerous aunts. He later began playing the recorder and singing in the boys’ choir of his grammar school. He started composing music at the age of seven, writing small pieces for his school orchestra. While in high school, he also wrote some pop songs as well as music for a jazz/rock band of which he was a member.<ref name="In Memoriam: Theo Verbey">{{Cite web|url=https://www.koncon.nl/en/news/in-memoriam-theo-verbey|title = In Memoriam: Theo Verbey}}</ref>

He studied at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague where he graduated in 1986. His principal composition teachers were Peter Schat and Jan van Vlijmen.<ref>Mijnheer, J. (2000). "Theo Verbey", ''The Essential Guide to Dutch Music''</ref> Upon completing his studies Verbey rapidly became one of the most performed living Dutch composers.<ref name=MC>{{cite web|url=http://www.muziekcentrumnederland.nl/en/contemporary/cov/theo-verbey/|title=Composer in the Spotlight: Theo Verbey"|archive-url=https://archive.today/20110720080812/http://www.muziekcentrumnederland.nl/en/contemporary/cov/theo-verbey/ |archive-date=20 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1987 he was awarded the Amsterdam Arts Fund's incentive award for young composers, and since received commissions from the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Amsterdam Sinfonietta, the London Sinfonietta, the Residentie Orchestra, the Dutch Radio Filharmonisch Orkest and the Dutch Radio Chamber Orchestra, Klangforum Wien, the Deutsche Oper Berlin and many others. Theo Verbey taught at both the Royal Conservatory of The Hague and the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, as well as having been on the composition jury for the Queen Elisabeth Music Competition in Brussels in 1992 and 1997.<ref>Samama, L. [http://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/subscriber/article/grove/music/47307 "Verbey, Theo"], ''Grove Music Online. Oxford Music Online''. Retrieved 1 September 2010. {{Subscription required}}</ref> His work shows high regard for structure, beauty, and a great historical awareness, as well as a special regard for instrumental color and subtle harmonies. Verbey was a member of a reading club devoted to the study of contemporary thought.

==Projects== Later commissions included ''Traurig wie der Tod'', a work for orchestra and chorus premiered by the Netherlands Radio Filharmonisch Orkest and the Netherlands Radio Choir, conducted by James Gaffigan, as well as ''Lumen ad Finem Cuniculi'', written for philharmonie zuidnederland and conducted by Dmitri Liss. The Brodsky Quartet commissioned Verbey to provide a segment for their celebrated song cycle, ''Trees, Walls, Cities.'' Verbey composed ''4 Preludes to Infinity'' for The Stolz Quartet, a work which is included on their CD, Dutch Masters and Their Inspiration. More recently, the duo Andrea Vasi & Sebastiaan Kemner performed ''Ballade'', a work for trombone and piano written especially for them.

In 2007, Theo Verbey completed his second commission for the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra: LIED, for Trombone and Orchestra, with Jörgen van Rijen as soloist. His ''Fractal Symphony'' was chosen by choreographer Regina van Berkel as music to accompany her ballet ''Memory of a Shape'' performed by Ballet Mainz in 2009. Van Berkel also based a second ballet based on Verbey's music, which was performed by the ballet company of the Deutsche Oper am Rhein in February/March 2011 under the title ''Frozen Echo''.<ref>[http://www.operamrhein.de/index.php?page=events&highlight=calendar&sub=detail&id_event_date=7285108&language=en_EN/ World premiere of ''Frozen Echo'' by Regina van Berkel], Deutsche Oper am Rhein, Retrieved 8 September 2010.</ref> ''Memory of a Shape'' received its Dutch premiere in 2017, when it was performed by Introdans. In November 2010, Theo Verbey's piece Bandersnatch for cello and pianola was premiered by Larissa Groeneveld as part of the Amsterdam Cello Biënnale. It was Mr. Verbey's second commission for the Biënnale.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://amsterdamsecellobiennale.nl/program-detail/56// |title= Pagina niet gevonden &#124; Cello Biënnale Amsterdam |website=amsterdamsecellobiennale.nl |access-date=2010-11-29}}</ref>

In 2009/2010, Theo Verbey was Composer-in-Residence of the Brabant Philharmonic Orchestra, based in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. In celebration of that orchestra’s 60th jubilee, Verbey was commissioned to compose ''Orchestral Variations'' which showcases each section of the orchestra both individually and within the ensemble.

Verbey also collaborated with Klangforum Wien on their ''Free Radicals'' program, providing a score for Man Ray's 1923 film, ''Retour à la Raison.'' This was not Theo Verbey's first contact with the medium of film: in 1994, film maker Alejandro Agresti used Verbey's piece ''TEGENBEWEGING'' as the basis of his short film which formed a segment of ''Hexagon'', a film project made for the Holland Festival.<ref>[http://www.idfa.nl/industry/tags/project.aspx?id=B80DD151-F283-4836-A08D-563FFFE97029 Projects] idfa.nl Retrieved 4 December 2011 {{dead link|date=July 2023}}</ref>

In addition to composing his own works, Theo Verbey earned high regard for his orchestrations. One of his earliest successes, Alban Berg's Piano Sonata, Op. 1, has been performed many times by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra,<ref name=MC /> among others. Other orchestrations included an arrangement of Leoš Janáček's piano sonata ''1. X. 1905''. In 2006 Theo Verbey was asked by Amsterdam Sinfonietta to arrange the three remaining movements of Alban Berg's ''Lyric Suite'' for string orchestra.<ref>[http://www.universaledition.com/Alban-Berg/composers-and-works/composer/51/work/12574 Alban Berg – Lyrische Suite/ for string orchestra], Universal Edition Retrieved 28 September 2010.</ref> At the invitation of ECHO (European Concert Hall Organization) this version of the Lyric Suite was included in Amsterdam Sinfonietta's successful 2011 tour of six major European cities. Mr. Verbey was granted permission by the heirs of Igor Stravinsky to complete the orchestration of the unfinished 1919 version of ''Les noces'' for voices, pianola, 2 cimbaloms, harmonium and percussion. This version has been so successful that Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands chose it for her annual Queen's Day Concert in her palace in The Hague. Verbey also orchestrated three Mussorgsky song cycles (Sunless, the Nursery, and Songs and Dances of Death), which are regularly performed. He also arranged Scriabin's Preludes op. 33, as well as Three Choral Preludes by J.S. Bach for oboe, violin, viola and cello.

===Educational activities=== Theo worked at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague since 1984 as a teacher of Music Theory, where he was known as an intelligent and dedicated teacher with a strong commitment to the education of young musicians. In 1995, he joined the faculty of the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, as well.<ref name="In Memoriam: Theo Verbey"/>

As a teacher, Verbey was known for his extensive knowledge of the history and development of the art of instrumentation, as well as his precise arrangements and orchestrations. He was devoted to teaching, and took his obligation extremely seriously. He would work out his own solution to every orchestration assignment, so his students could look over his shoulder, as it were. Theo Verbey was held in high esteem by his colleagues, and there was no dispute about his authority as a theorist and orchestrator. He was also known for his kind and considerate approach to students outside the classroom. He demonstrated a similar regard for his colleagues, always being well informed and utterly professional. As a composer, he belonged to a dying species, the "composer-theorist." In the Netherlands, he represented one of the few remaining links between the two disciplines, which have been bound together throughout the history of music.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dfsmt.net/uploads/1/1/7/5/117576939/dfsmt_newsletter_spring_2020_engels.pdf|title=Newsletter. Dutch-Flemmish [sic] Society of Music Theory|website=dfsmt.net|date=Spring 2020|access-date=23 July 2023}}</ref>

==Theo Verbey Foundation== In September 2020, the non-profit Theo Verbey Foundation was established to honour Theo’s artistic legacy by serving as a platform to preserve and distribute his work. By building a network of people who were connected with Theo, the foundation hopes to create a space in which people who knew Theo and loved his music can feel at home. The foundation collects, organizes, preserves, makes accessible and helps publish Theo’s teaching materials, scores, and performance recordings, and has also consulted with specialized institutions in the Netherlands and abroad to professionalize its activities in areas such as archiving, preservation, management and providing access. The Theo Verbey Foundation is a non-profit organization. The foundation’s board is made up of people whose lives were touched by Theo, and board members receive no remuneration; all funds received go directly to fulfilling the foundation’s objectives.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://theoverbey.com/foundation/ | title=Foundation – Theo Verbey }}</ref>

==Works==

===Orchestra/Large Ensemble=== * 2019 ''Ariadne'' for large orchestra, commissioned by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra * 2017-18 ''After the Great War'' for large orchestra, written to mark the ending of World War I, commissioned by the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra and the Residentie Orchestra * 2015 ''Lumen Ad Finem Cuniculi'' for large orchestra, written to commemorate the end in 1976 of coal Mining in Limburg * 2009 ''Orchestral Variations'' for large orchestra * 2009 ''Frozen Echo'' for large orchestra, a ballet version of ''Schaduw (Shadow)'' arranged by the composer for choreographer Regina van Berkel for her ballet of the same name * 2009 ''Tractus'' for cimbalom, harmonium and strings * 2008 ''Inquietus'' for large orchestra * 2008 ''No Comment'' ringtone for orchestra * 2008 ''Invitation to a Beheading'' for orchestra inspired by the book, Invitation to a Beheading by Vladimir Nabokov * 2007 ''Man Ray, le Retour à la Raison'' for ensemble * 2005 ''Fractal variations'' for string orchestra * 2004 ''Fractal symphony'' for orchestra * 2002 ''Schaduw (Shadow)'' for string quartet, string orchestra and percussion instruments * 2000 ''Ouverture'' (Suite) in G in the style of Johann Sebastian Bach, after BWV 1066, for large ensemble. Written in honor of the 250th anniversary of Bach's death. From the collection entitled ''Orchesterübung - Bearbeitungen und stilkopien nach J.S. Bach'' (Orchestral exercise - arrangements and style copies after J.S. Bach)<ref name="deussmusic.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.deussmusic.com/componisten/TheoVerbey/orchesterubung-bearbeitungen-und-stilkopien-nach-js-bach/16007706789547|title = Deuss Music - nieuw gecomponeerde kunstmuziek en opera - Werken - TheoVerbey}}</ref> * 2000 ''Ouverture'' (Suite) in D in the style of Johann Sebastian Bach, after BWV 1068, for large ensemble. Written in honor of the 250th anniversary of Bach's death. From the collection entitled ''Orchesterübung - Bearbeitungen und stilkopien nach J.S. Bach'' (Orchestral exercise - arrangements and style copies after J.S. Bach)<ref name="deussmusic.com"/> * 1997 ''Alliage'' for large orchestra * 1996 ''Conciso'' for orchestra * 1992 ''Produkt'' for chamber ensemble * 1991, rev. 1994 ''Triade'' for orchestra * 1989 ''De Simorq '' for chamber orchestra * 1988, rev. 1990 ''Expulsie'' (parts I/IV), for large ensemble * 1986 ''Tegenbeweging (Contrary Motion)'' for orchestra * 1985, rev. 1989 ''Aura'' for large ensemble * 1985 ''Random symphonies'' electronic music * 1976 ''Caprice symphonique'' for orchestra<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.theoverbey.com/web/repertoire.aspx |title=Theo Verbey - Compositions |access-date=12 August 2016 |archive-date=17 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917122934/http://www.theoverbey.com/web/repertoire.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Vocal=== * 2015 '' Traurig wie der Tod'' for choir and orchestra based on poems by Hans Bethge (poet) * 2012 ''Der Garten des Paracelsus'' (In the Garden of Paracelsus) for soprano and string quartet, text by Peter Huchel, commissioned by the Brodsky Quartet * 2007-2012 ''Twee Gedichten van Bloem (Two poems of Bloem)'' for mixed choir, a cappella (1-Na de Bevrijding; 2-Geluk) based on poems by Dutch poet Jakobus Cornelis (Jacques) Bloem and commissioned by The National Committee for 4 and 5 May <ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite web|url=https://www.deussmusic.com/componisten/TheoVerbey|title = Deuss Music - nieuw gecomponeerde kunstmuziek en opera - Componisten - TheoVerbey}}</ref> * 2007 ''Twee Gedichten van Bloem (Two poems of Bloem)'' for 4 part female choir, a cappella (1-Na de Bevrijding; 2-Geluk) based on poems by Dutch poet Jakobus Cornelis (Jacques) Bloem and commissioned by The National Committee for 4 and 5 May <ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://theoverbey.instantencore.com/web/video_details.aspx?ItemId=2110529 | title=Videos (not archived) | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202122741/https://theoverbey.instantencore.com/web/video_details.aspx?ItemId=2110529 | archive-date=2020-12-02}}</ref> * 1998 ''Sechs Rilke-Lieder'' for baritone and piano, based on poems by Rainer Maria Rilke * 1998 ''Sechs Rilke-Lieder'' for baritone and orchestra, based on poems by Rainer Maria Rilke * 1992 ''Whitman'' for soprano and orchestra, based on poems by Walt Whitman

===Concerto=== * 2007 ''LIED'' for trombone and orchestra, commissioned by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra with Jörgen van Rijen as soloist * 2006 ''Piano Concerto'' for piano and orchestra * 2005 ''Clarinet Concerto'' for clarinet and orchestra * 1995 ''Notturno'' for oboe, 2 horns and strings * 1995 ''Pavane oubliée'' for harp and strings

===Solo and Chamber=== * 2016 ''Ballade'' for trombone and piano * 2013 ''4 preludes to Infinity'' for oboe, violin, viola and cello * 2013 ''La Malinconia II'' for harp solo * 2011 ''La Malinconia I'' for piano solo * 2010 ''Bandersnatch'' for cello and pianola inspired by a character in Lewis Carroll's poem, Jabberwocky * 2008 ''Graduale'' piano and electronics * 2006 ''5 Pieces for violoncello solo'' * 2006 ''Cadenza'' for Trumpet Concerto (Arutiunian), commissioned by Peter Masseurs, former principal trumpet player of the Concertgebouworkest. * 2004 ''Perplex'' for 6 instruments * 2001, rev. 2004 ''Spring Rain'' for string quartet * 1999 ''Trio'' for violin, cello and piano * 1999 ''Sospeso'' for percussion ensemble * 1998 ''Fandango'' for recorder quartet * 1998 ''Sestetto'' for flute, harp and string quartet * 1995 ''Hommage II'' for viola * 1993 ''Hammage'' for flute * 1992 Duet for two trumpets * 1991, rev. 1994 ''Passamezzo'' for saxophone quartet * 1990 ''De Peryton'' for 7 wind instruments inspired by Jorge Luis Borges the Peryton * 1988, rev. 1997 ''Chaconne'', for string trio * 1987 ''Inversie'', for 10 instruments * 1987 ''Contractie'' for flute, bass clarinet and piano * 1982 ''Triplum'' for 12 wind instruments * 1980 ''Nocturne'', for piano * 1976 ''Sonatine'' for bassoon and bass

===Instrumentation=== * 2018 ''Zwei letzte Lieder (1-Beim schlafengehen; 2-Im Abendrot)'' <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.concertgebouworkest.nl/en/concert/death-in-venice |title=Death in Venice – Concertgebouworkest |access-date=22 August 2020 |archive-date=24 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024032835/https://www.concertgebouworkest.nl/en/concert/death-in-venice |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deussmusic.com/componisten/TheoVerbey/zwei-letzte-lieder/15444299732803|title = Deuss Music - nieuw gecomponeerde kunstmuziek en opera - Werken - TheoVerbey}}</ref> by Richard Strauss for countertenor and orchestra. * 2017 ''Spring Waters'' op. 14 no. 1 by Sergei Rachmaninoff for voice and orchestra. Commissioned by the Concertgebouworkest, premiered by Eva-Maria Westbroek, soprano and Mariss Jansons, conductor.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.concertgebouworkest.nl/en/concert/jansons-and-eva-maria-westbroek |title=Jansons and Eva-Maria Westbroek – RCO |access-date=22 August 2020 |archive-date=13 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113055040/https://www.concertgebouworkest.nl/en/concert/jansons-and-eva-maria-westbroek |url-status=dead }}</ref> * 2013 ''Drie Choralvorspiele (Chorale Preludes)'' by Johann Sebastian Bach for oboe, violin, viola and cello.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deussmusic.com/componisten/TheoVerbey/drei-choralvorspiele/147100572687|title = Deuss Music - nieuw gecomponeerde kunstmuziek en opera - Werken - TheoVerbey}}</ref> * 2011 ''Piano Preludes op. 33'' by Alexander Scriabin for oboe, violin, viola and cello<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deussmusic.com/componisten/TheoVerbey/piano-preludes/147100571942|title = Deuss Music - nieuw gecomponeerde kunstmuziek en opera - Werken - TheoVerbey}}</ref> * 2007 ''Sonata 1.x.1905'' by Leoš Janáček<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.universaledition.com/leos-janacek-2012/works/1-x-1905-13092|title = Universal Edition}}</ref> * 2007 ''Les Noces'' by Igor Stravinsky ''(1919 Version; Verbey completion)'' for solo voices, choir, pianola, harmonium, percussion <ref>Les Noces (1919 Version; Verbey completion)</ref> * 2006 ''Drei Stücke (No. 1,5,6)'' from Lyric Suite by Alban Berg for string orchestra <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.universaledition.com/alban-berg-51/works/3-stucke-nr-1-5-6-12574|title = Universal Edition}}</ref> * 2005 ''Cantiones sacrae (Gesualdo)'' Completion of the missing bassus and sextus (sixth part) <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cappellagabrieli.nl/index_en.html|title = Cappella Gabrieli - Rotterdam Chamber Choir - early music - polyphonic renaissance}}</ref> * 2004 ''Une Larme'' by Modest Mussorgsky for string orchestra * 2000 ''Italian Concerto, BWV 971'' by Johann Sebastian Bach for solo violin, strings and continuo, in honor of the 250th anniversary of Bach's death; from the collection of pieces, ''Orchesterübung - Bearbeitungen und stilkopien nach J.S. Bach'' (Orchestral exercise - arrangements and style copies after J.S. Bach).<ref name="deussmusic.com"/> * 1994 '' Bez solnca '' (''Without Sun'') by Modest Mussorgsky, for voice and orchestra, based on texts by A.A. Golenishchev-Kutusov * 1994 ''The Nursery'' by Modest Mussorgsky, for voice and orchestra * 1994 ''Songs and Dances of Death '' by Modest Mussorgsky, for bass and chamber orchestra, based on texts by A.A. Golenishchev-Kutusov * 1990 ''Trois Chansons (Ravel)'' for large ensemble * 1990 ''Andante from Piano Sonata in A major no. 13'' by Schubert for large orchestra <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deussmusic.com/componisten/TheoVerbey/andante-from-the-sonata-no-13-in-a/145552920325|title = Deuss Music - nieuw gecomponeerde kunstmuziek en opera - Werken - TheoVerbey}}</ref> * 1990-2000 ''Ouverture in the French Style, BWV 831'' by Johann Sebastian Bach for transverse flute, strings and continuo, in honor of the 250th anniversary of Bach's death; from the collection of pieces, ''Orchesterübung - Bearbeitungen und stilkopien nach J.S. Bach'' (Orchestral exercise - arrangements and style copies after J.S. Bach).<ref name="deussmusic.com"/> * 1984 ''Sonata opus 1'' Piano Sonata (Berg) by Alban Berg * 1983 ''Sonata opus 101'' by Ludwig van Beethoven for string quartet * 1983 ''Sonata for two pianos'' by Igor Stravinsky for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, violin and cello

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == * [http://www.theoverbey.com/ Theo Verbey's web site] * [https://www.theoverbey.com/foundation/ The Theo Verbey Foundation's web site] * [https://www.deussmusic.com/componisten/TheoVerbey/ Theo Verbey's publisher, Deuss Music] * [http://www.muziekencyclopedie.nl/action/entry/Theo+Verbey Theo Verbey at the Music Centre Netherlands] {{in lang|nl}} * [https://webshop.donemus.com/action/front/search?order=name&name=%22Verbey%2C+Theo%22/ Webshop Donemus] * [http://www.chesternovello.com/default.aspx?TabId=2432&State_3041=2&workId_3041=37383 Score '''Les Noces''' Verbey completion] * [https://webshop.donemus.com/action/front/sheetmusic/5639/''Berg Sonata''] * [http://www.universaledition.com/Leos-Janacek/composers-and-works/composer/2012/work/13092 Score Janácek '''1.X.1905''' for orchestra, arr. Theo Verbey] * [http://www.universaledition.com/Alban-Berg/composers-and-works/composer/51/work/12574 Score '''Lyric Suite''' for string orchestra Nr. 1,5 & 6, arr. Theo Verbey] * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJWV6xJ1eNg/ Theo Verbey: On composing] * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoxXIBBGTkY/ Theo Verbey: ''Traurig wie der Tod'' for choir and orchestra] {{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Verbey, Theo}} Category:1959 births Category:2019 deaths Category:Dutch male classical composers Category:20th-century Dutch classical composers Category:20th-century Dutch male composers Category:21st-century Dutch classical composers Category:21st-century Dutch male composers Category:Academic staff of the Conservatorium van Amsterdam Category:Musicians from Delft Category:Royal Conservatory of The Hague alumni