Header image of Theo Verbey, sitting on a concrete walkway with water on both sides
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Contemporary Classical Music Composer

Bio

Theo Verbey (5 July 1959-13 October 2019) was a Dutch composer of contemporary classical music. His style – which has been described as energetic and appealing – is known for its elegance, rhythmically transparent approach and rich instrumentation. Theo’s orchestral, chamber and vocal works are favorites with listeners and musicians and never fail to touch the hearts of those who hear them. His commitment to teaching has also paved the way for new musicians, creating a legacy that will last for generations to come.

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FeaturedRecording

Commissioned by Performing Arts Fund NL

Fractal Variations (2001/2005)

8’  str (6.6.4.4.2)

“Fractal Variations is a string orchestra version of my work for string quartet, Spring Rain. Spring Rain was written at the request of six string quartets, who, around 2000, had come up with a plan to organize their own chamber music series in a number of country estates in the Netherlands without the help of a state subsidy.
Despite the programmatic title, the work is composed as an abstract piece. The composer leaves the listener to harmonize the title with the music in whichever way they choose. ….”

– Theo Verbey

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Upcoming Events

CONCERT­­­GEBOUW­ORKEST PLAYS PROKOFIEV’S SYMPHONY NO. 5

31 Mar 2021

At Home

Concertgebouworkest, Han-Na Chang, Behzod Abduraimov

Verbey, Bartok, Prokofiev

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Work From Home In The Pandemic

27 Mar 2021

At Home, Delft

Thuisorkest, Personal Computer, Keyboard

Work from Home, Life Balance, Pandemic Times

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Due to Covid-19, no further events have been planned.
We hope to see Theo’s work in concert again soon.

Latest News

22 Feb 2021

Posthumous new work by Theo Verbey

Theo Verbey had a close relationship with Amsterdam Sinfonietta. A large number of works was written for them and premiered by them, including Pavane oubliée (1995), Schaduw (2002) and Fractal Variations(2006).

Thanks to a recent blog post by Amsterdam Sinfonietta, we also came across a work that we had not yet published: the arrangement for string orchestra of the piano piece Une Larme by Modest Mussorgsky. According to cellist Maarten Mostert 'Theo has arranged this splendid piano piece very beautifully. Under Lev's direction we often played it as an encore, but after that it also featured on the programme every few years’.

12 Jan 2021

Introducing the Theo Verbey Foundation

Tuesday 12 January 2021 15:00h CET marks the launch of the newly established Theo Verbey Foundation. In this film, a few board members and a colleague of Theo Verbey will talk about the Foundation’s aims and the significance of Verbey’s work. Cellist Martín Alvarez, a Master’s student at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague, will perform two movements from Verbey’s Five Pieces for Violoncello Solo (2006).

8 Jan 2021

Theo Verbey Foundation receives grant to record Sestetto

Good news! The Buma/Stemra Investeringsfonds Muziek has awarded a grant to the Theo Verbey Foundation to record Sestetto, (1998), with the Matangi Quartet, joined for this occasion by Felicia van den End (flute) and Sabien Canton (harp). A recently discovered list, found amongst Verbey's papers, indicates he'd earmarked the Matangi Quartet to perform Sestetto on an unrealized chamber music CD. The Theo Verbey Foundation is delighted these six outstanding Dutch musicians have agreed to record this breathtaking work.