Marius Monnikendam (L) – Willem van Otterloo (R) – Gems of the Archival dig.
Back over to the Radio Nederland vaults this week for a performance of Marius Monnidendam’s Arbeid (Labor) – recorded in concert on March 23, 1966 with the Hague Philharmonic conducted by Willem van Otterloo.
Marinus Adrianus (Marius) Monnikendam (28 May 1896 – 22 May 1977) was a Dutch composer, organist, and music critic. He studied at the Amsterdam Conservatory. In 1925 Monnikendam went to Paris and attended Vincent d’Indy’s Schola Cantorum. During this time, he published his first works for piano and cello. He then became a lecturer at the Rotterdam Conservatory and the Amsterdam Music Lyceum. Monnikendam composed mostly religious and secular works. He also published books on César Franck and Igor Stravinsky. His Lamentations of Jeremiah for chorus and orchestra, written in 1956 was broadcast by Radio Holland during the funeral services for both former Queen Wilhelmine (1962) and President John F. Kennedy (1963). His most popular work is the Toccata for Organ (1936).
As a composer Marius Monnikendam never conformed to any musical trend in particular. Most of his works were commissioned. He felt most at home when composing special commissions. This is applicable to his work for the concert podium as much as to his Lay-music of the Thirties (canons, Christmas carols and his stage music, e.g. Vondel). The practicability of his choir works is of utmost importance for amateurs. In his choice of text he has a strong preference for religion and liturgy. At the same time he feels very much attracted to the organ. During his study in Paris he became deeply interested in César Franck. He also admired Milhaud and Honegger, and as far as organ music is concerned, Charles Tournemire as well.
Till the end of his life, Monnikendam possesses an extremely lively mind and remained very active on all fronts. His creative powers remain undiminished. His final compositions were three commissioned works. The old Dutch mystery play “Everyman” (with a new modern text by Jan Engelman and an English translation by A. Barnouw) was written in two versions, one for male choir and one for mixed choir. Monnikendam received a second commission by the Dutch Heart Foundation. Based on the human heartbeat, Monnikendam wrote an instrumental work Heart-Rhythm (1975) in which a link is made with space travel. On the occasion of the reopening as a concert hall of the restored New Church of The Hague (end of 1976) Monnikendam composed a Gloria for mixed choir, orchestra, organ and percussion. The work was commissioned by the Johann Wagenaar Foundation.
Willem van Otterloo. While playing as a cellist in the Utrecht Stedelijk Orkest, he won a composition prize from the Concertgebouw Orchestra for his Suite No. 3, which he presented in his 1932 conducting debut, also with that orchestra. He held posts with the Utrecht Stedelijk Orkest, before being appointed chief conductor of the Residentie Orkest in The Hague (1949–1973).[1]
He spent his last 11 years in Australia. From 1967 to 1970 he was chief conductor of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and in 1971 he was appointed chief conductor of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, where he remained for the rest of his life.[1]
Particularly prized for his performances of 19th and 20th-century music, he made numerous commercial recordings, mostly for Philips Records, with Residentie Orkest, Concertgebouworkest, Berlin Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic, Vienna Symphony, Orchestre Lamoureux and (on much rarer occasions) the Sydney Symphony.
He died in the Melbourne suburb of East St Kilda in 1978 from injuries suffered in an automobile accident. His body was flown to The Hague for cremation.
On to the music.
