Albert van Raalte
Encyclopedia
Albert Bernhard van Raalte (21 May 1890, Amsterdam
– 23 November 1952) was a Dutch
conductor
, the son of Izak van Raalte and Carolina van Engel. He began music studies at age 7, from such teachers as Herman Meerlo and Arnold Drilsma (both violin), and J.W. Kersbergen (piano).
From 1906 to 1909, van Raalte studied at the Hochschule für Musik Köln
, where his teachers included Fritz Steinbach
(conducting), Bram Eldering (violin
), Lazzaro Uzielli (piano), and Waldemar von Baussern (harmony
and counterpoint
). He later pursued further studies in music theory
with Max Reger
and in conducting with Bruno Walter
and Camille Saint-Saëns
. His conducting career began with a 1909 concert at the Musikalische Gesellschaft in Cologne. In 1911-1912, he was a repetiteur at La Monnaie
(Brussels
). He worked as an opera
conductor in Germany and the Netherlands from 1912 until the outbreak of World War II.
From 1928 to 1940, van Raalte conducted concerts on Dutch radio (AVRO), until his dismissal during World War II
. After the war, from 1945 to 1949, he served as the first principal conductor of the Radio Filharmonisch Orkest.
Van Raalte married Helena Wilhelmina Sophia Horneman on 23 July 1918. The couple had one son.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
– 23 November 1952) was a Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
, the son of Izak van Raalte and Carolina van Engel. He began music studies at age 7, from such teachers as Herman Meerlo and Arnold Drilsma (both violin), and J.W. Kersbergen (piano).
From 1906 to 1909, van Raalte studied at the Hochschule für Musik Köln
Hochschule für Musik Köln
The Cologne University of Music is a music college in Cologne, and Germany's largest academy of music.-History:The academy was founded by Ferdinand Hiller in 1850 as Conservatorium der Musik in Coeln...
, where his teachers included Fritz Steinbach
Fritz Steinbach
Fritz Steinbach was a German conductor and composer who was particularly associated with the works of Johannes Brahms. Born in Grünsfeld, he was the brother of conductor Emil Steinbach. He studied at the Leipzig Conservatory and in Vienna. Among his teachers were Martin Gustav Nottebohm and Anton...
(conducting), Bram Eldering (violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
), Lazzaro Uzielli (piano), and Waldemar von Baussern (harmony
Harmony
In music, harmony is the use of simultaneous pitches , or chords. The study of harmony involves chords and their construction and chord progressions and the principles of connection that govern them. Harmony is often said to refer to the "vertical" aspect of music, as distinguished from melodic...
and counterpoint
Counterpoint
In music, counterpoint is the relationship between two or more voices that are independent in contour and rhythm and are harmonically interdependent . It has been most commonly identified in classical music, developing strongly during the Renaissance and in much of the common practice period,...
). He later pursued further studies in music theory
Music theory
Music theory is the study of how music works. It examines the language and notation of music. It seeks to identify patterns and structures in composers' techniques across or within genres, styles, or historical periods...
with Max Reger
Max Reger
Johann Baptist Joseph Maximilian Reger was a German composer, conductor, pianist, organist, and academic teacher.-Life:...
and in conducting with Bruno Walter
Bruno Walter
Bruno Walter was a German-born conductor. He is considered one of the best known conductors of the 20th century. Walter was born in Berlin, but is known to have lived in several countries between 1933 and 1939, before finally settling in the United States in 1939...
and Camille Saint-Saëns
Camille Saint-Saëns
Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns was a French Late-Romantic composer, organist, conductor, and pianist. He is known especially for The Carnival of the Animals, Danse macabre, Samson and Delilah, Piano Concerto No. 2, Cello Concerto No. 1, Havanaise, Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, and his Symphony...
. His conducting career began with a 1909 concert at the Musikalische Gesellschaft in Cologne. In 1911-1912, he was a repetiteur at La Monnaie
La Monnaie
Le Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie , or the Koninklijke Muntschouwburg is a theatre in Brussels, Belgium....
(Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
). He worked as an opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
conductor in Germany and the Netherlands from 1912 until the outbreak of World War II.
From 1928 to 1940, van Raalte conducted concerts on Dutch radio (AVRO), until his dismissal during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. After the war, from 1945 to 1949, he served as the first principal conductor of the Radio Filharmonisch Orkest.
Van Raalte married Helena Wilhelmina Sophia Horneman on 23 July 1918. The couple had one son.