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Karel Bernet KempersDutch musicologist
Date of Birth: 20.09.1897
Country:  Netherlands |
Content:
- Albert Smijers: A Dutch Musicologist of Notable Distinction
- Studies in Munich and Doctoral Thesis
- Academic Contributions
- Publications and Research
Albert Smijers: A Dutch Musicologist of Notable Distinction
Early Studies and CareerAlbert Smijers, a renowned Dutch musicologist, embarked on his musical journey in Amsterdam. Under the tutelage of esteemed musicians such as Bernard Zweers, Simon van Milligen, and Gonda van Dam, Smijers delved into music theory, composition, history, and piano. To further his musicological pursuits, he sought knowledge abroad.
Studies in Munich and Doctoral Thesis
In 1922, Smijers traveled to Munich, Germany, to study under the guidance of Adolf Sandberger. His doctoral thesis, "Jacobus Clemens non Papa und seine Motetten" (1926), meticulously explored the life and works of the renowned Renaissance composer. This seminal work was later published as a monograph in Augsburg.
Academic Contributions
Throughout his career, Smijers remained dedicated to the study of Jacobus Clemens. From 1951 onwards, he published a comprehensive 20-volume collection of Clemens's compositions, with a posthumous 21st volume completing the series.
Smijers's academic endeavors extended beyond Clemens. He held teaching positions in prestigious institutions such as the Hague Conservatory, Amsterdam Conservatory, and Amsterdam University. As a professor at the university, he became the first dedicated musicologist to hold a staff position in the Netherlands.
Publications and Research
Smijers's contributions to musicology were not limited to academia. In 1932, he authored the first Dutch textbook on music history, "Muziekgeschiedenis." This comprehensive work went through six editions by 1965.
Smijers's research interests encompassed a wide range of topics. His publications included investigations into Italian opera, Franz Schubert, and Willem Pijper's opera "Halewijn." His scholarly insights continue to shape the understanding of music history and inspire generations of musicologists.
