Frédéric Devreese

Biography

Frédéric Devreese (2 June 1929 – 28 September 2020) was a Belgian composer of mostly orchestral, chamber and piano works that have been performed throughout the world; he was also active as a conductor. Devreese is known for his film scores, including Benvenuta by André Delvaux and The Cruel Embrace by Marion Hänsel.

Career

Born in Amsterdam, Devreese received his first musical training from his father, the composer-conductor Godfried Devreese (1893–1972).
He studied composition with Marcel Poot and conducting with René Defossez in Brussels, composition with Ildebrando Pizzetti at the Accademia Santa Cecilia in Rome from 1952 to 1955 and conducting with Hans Swarowsky at the University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna in 1955–56.
Devreese composed music for piano, chamber music, orchestra, choir, opera and ballet, but became widely known initially for his film scores. In addition, he wrote the imposed work for the Reine Elisabeth music competition in Brussels (1983, Concerto No. 4) and the Adolphe Sax competition in Dinant (1998, Ostinati).
He served as conductor of the BRT Philharmonic Orchestra and guest-conducted orchestras throughout the world. For his recordings for Marco Polo's series Anthology of Flemish Music, he was nominated for the Cultural Ambassador of Flanders in 1996–97.

Personal life

Devreese was married to Annie De Clerck. He died of cancer.

Honours

Knight of the Order of the Crown
Knight of the Order of Leopold II
He was knighted by Albert II of Belgium in 1996. His motto is Tenuto.

Stage

Willem van Saefthinge, TV opera (1962–63), libretto by Jean Francis
Le Cavalier bizarre, opera (1976), libretto by Michel de Ghelderode

Orchestral

Concerto No. 1, piano, orchestra (1949)
Concerto, violin, orchestra (1951)
Concerto No. 2, piano, orchestra (1952)
Symphony (1952)
Concerto No. 3, piano, orchestra (1955)
Mascarade Suite (1956)
Deux Mouvements, string orchestra (1953–63)
Evocation Suite (1966)
Divertimenti, string orchestra (1970)
Overture, large orchestra (1976)
Concerto No. 4, piano, orchestra (1983)
Pré (1983)
Benvenuta Suite (1984)
Gemini Suite, 2 orchestras (1986), version of work for 2 pianos
L'Oeuvre au noir Suite (1988)
Masque, brass band (1989)
Valse Sacrée (1989)
Thème et Danse (1989)
Belle Suite, string orchestra (1991)
Variations and Theme, string orchestra (1992)
Valse Sacrée, string orchestra (1994)
La partie d'échecs Suite, string orchestra (1995)
Ostinati (concertino), alto saxophone, accordion, string orchestra (1998)
Concertino, cello, bandoneón, string orchestra (1998)
Concerto, cello, orchestra (1999)

Chamber music

Complainte, oboe, piano (1953)
Divertimenti a due, violin, cello (1968)
Divertimenti, string quartet (1970)
Suite No. 1, French horn, 2 trumpets, trombone, tuba (1970)
4 Short Waltzes, 4 recorders (1979)
Suite No. 2, French horn, 2 trumpets, trombone, tuba (1981)
5 Divertimenti, 4 saxophones (1985)
Benvenuta, violin, piano (1987)
Valse Sa, ensemble (1987)
Sax Blues, alto saxophone, piano (1989)
Benvenuta, violin, cello, piano (1990)
Berceuse et Finale, violin, piano (1991)
Three Dances, 10 winds (1991)
Passage, harmonica, jazz ensemble (1994)
Divertimenti a due, guitar, violin (1996)
Suite, alto saxophone, piano (1998)
Récitativo et Allegro, trumpet, piano (2000)
Canti, cello (or viola), piano (2000)
Blues, trumpet, piano (2001)
Quartet, violin, viola, cello, piano (2001)
3 Pieces, flute/alto saxophone, piano (2002)
James Ensor Quartet (quartet no. 2), 4 saxophones (2002)
Passage à 5, guitar (+ electric guitar), violin, double bass, piano, accordion (2002)

Choral

Four Old Flemish Songs, mixed chorus (1966)
Ballade for Damien, children's chorus, harmonica, string orchestra (1988)

Piano

Mascarade (1953)
Prélude (1972)
Gemini Suite, 2 pianos (1980), also version for 2 orchestras
Black and White (9 Easy Pieces) (1984)
Lullaby for Jesse (1992)
Short Waltzes (1997)
Mobile I, piano 4 hands (2000)
Soundtrack 1–3 (30 pieces) (1972–2001)
9 Waltzes (2001)

Film scores (by director)

1965 – De Grafbewaker (Harry Kümel)
1965 – De man die zijn haar kort liet knippen (André Delvaux)
1966 – De Overkant (Herman Wuyts)
1968 – Un soir, un train (André Delvaux)
1971 – Rendez-vous à Bray (André Delvaux)
1973 – Belle (André Delvaux)
1976 – Du bout des lèvres (Jean-Marie Degèsves)
1981 – Le filet américain (Robbe De Hert, Chris Verbiest)
1981 – De Witte Duif Véronique Steeno
1983 – Benvenuta (André Delvaux)
1987 – The Cruel Embrace (Marion Hänsel)
1988 – L'Œuvre au noir (André Delvaux)
1989 – Het Sacrament (Hugo Claus)
1990 – Il Maestro (Marion Hänsel)
1994 – La partie d'échecs (Yves Hanchar)
2001 – Pauline en Paulette (Lieven Debrauwer)
2003 – Mein Name ist Bach (Dominique de Rivaz)