Caecilia Andriessen: Music pedagogue and pioneer in piano ensembles and compositions

Caecilia Andriessen (1931-2019) was a pianist, music teacher and composer. She studied piano and organ playing at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague and received at early age a scholarship for studying manuscripts by Domenico Scarlatti in Italy. Caecilia Andriessen added to the innovation of music education. She specialized in music for multiple pianos. She developed teaching methods for piano ensembles for which no educational material existed, among others Mini and Modern, Beestenbende, Groot Avontuur and Blij met Bach. This volume contains a selection of unpublished arrangements she made since the 90s for intermediate piano players who can play for example sonatas by Haydn. She arranged scores, such as for string quartets and piano by famous composers that are easy to play on two or three pianos. Besides offering piano players the opportunity to play together with others, this edition is a journey through music history. It starts and ends with the Dutch composers Sweelinck and Henriëtte Bosmans, but the famous composers of the international classical repertoire are certainly present.

The works arranged by Caecilia Andriessen’s typically show her music skills in all aspects. She was part of a family of composers with her father Hendrik Andriessen and brothers Louis and Jurriaan, who significantly contributed to Dutch music life. The music publication and documentary are a tribute to Caecilia Andriessen, who until the end of her life inspired piano students. They ensure that her unique work is further documented and does not fall into oblivion. “Play nicely” was her motto. A great motto for playing together with two or three piano players.

Invitation:

Presentation volume of arrangements for two or three pianos by Caecilia Andriessen and documentary ‘Vrouw met vleugels’.

On Saturday, Feb. 10, just before her birthday, music pedagogue Caecilia Andriessen (1931-2019) will be honored with a new Donemus edition of music arranged by her for more pianos. Also then is the premiere of the documentary ‘Vrouw met vleugels’ by Els Dinnissen, in which friends and students reminisce about Caecilia. They resolved upon her death, five years ago, not to let her important contribution to piano music go to waste and took the initiative for the piano anthology and documentary. You are cordially invited to attend the tribute to Caecilia Andriessen.

Produced by DZIGA

The presentation is on Saturday, February 10th, 14.30-16.30h., at the Elisabeth Vreedehuis: Riouwstraat 1, 2585 GP in The Hague.

Register for the presentation…