Composers Famous Composers from the Netherlands

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List of notable or famous composers from the Netherlands, with bios and photos, including the top composers born in the Netherlands and even some popular composers who immigrated to the Netherlands. If you're trying to find out the names of famous Dutch composers then this list is the perfect resource for you. These composers are among the most prominent in their field, and information about each well-known composer from the Netherlands is included when available.

Ed Warby and Erik van der Luijt are included on this list.

This historic composers from the Netherlands list can help answer the questions "Who are some Dutch composers of note?" and "Who are the most famous composers from the Netherlands?" These prominent composers of the Netherlands may or may not be currently alive, but what they all have in common is that they're all respected Dutch composers.

Use this list of renowned Dutch composers to discover some new composers that you aren't familiar with. Don't forget to share this list by clicking one of the social media icons at the top or bottom of the page. (41 items)

1

Amina Figarova age 53 Amina Figarova is a jazz composer and jazz pianist. She currently lives and teaches in New York.

2

Coen van Vrijberghe de Coningh Dec. at 47 (1950-1997) Coen van Vrijberghe de Coningh was an actor.

3

David Broekman Dec. at 59 (1899-1958) David Broekman is a film score composer, songwriter and conductor.

4

Ed Warby age 50 Edward R. Warby was born and raised in Rotterdam and is best known as the drummer for Gorefest and Ayreon. He also appeared in the band Agressor in 1982 and joined the Eindhoven-based ...more

5

Eltjo Haselhoff age 55 Eltjo Haselhoff is best known as a Dutch 'fingerstyle' guitarist and composer, although he has delved into numerous other endeavours, including arts, science, musical instrument building and ...more

6

Erik van der Luijt age 47 Erik van der Luijt is a Dutch jazz pianist / keyboard player, arranger, composer, producer and band leader.

7

Ernst Reijseger age 63 Ernst Reijseger is a Dutch cellist and composer. He specializes in jazz, improvised music, and contemporary classical music and often gives solo concerts. He has worked with Louis Sclavis, Derek ...more

8

Guillaume Landré Dec. at 63 (1905-1968) Guillaume Landré was a Dutch composer of operas, 4 symphonies, and chamber music. His father, Willem Landré was also a composer; Guillaume studied under him. He also studied under ...more

9

Harry de Wit age 65 Harry de Wit is a film score composer.

10

Henk Badings Dec. at 80 (1907-1987) Henk Badings was a Dutch composer. Born in Bandung, Java, Dutch East Indies, as the son of Herman Louis Johan Badings, an officer in the Dutch East Indies army, Hendrik Herman Badings became an ...more

11

Henny Vrienten age 67 Henny Vrienten is a Dutch composer of TV- and film-scores. He used to be the singer, songwriter and bassist of the popular 1980s ska pop band Doe Maar.

12

Herman Beeftink age 65 Herman Beeftink is a film score composer.

13

Ivar de Graaf age 44 Ivar de Graaf is the founder and drummer of the Dutch progressive metal band Kingfisher Sky, but best known as the former drummer of the popular Dutch rock/metal band Within Temptation.

14

Jan Keizer age 69 Jan Keizer was a memeber of the musical group BZN.

15

Jan Vriend age 80 Jan Vriend is a Dutch classical music composer, conductor, organist and pianist. He lives in Gloucestershire, England since 1984.

16

Jan Wijn age 80 Jan Wijn is a Dutch pianist and piano pedagogue. Wijn studied at the Amsterdam Conservatory under Cornelius Berkhout, where he received his diploma in 1955. He then studied under Bela Siki in ...more

17

Jan-Bas Bollen age 57 Jan-Bas Bollen is a sound designer.

18

Junkie XL age 50 Tom Holkenborg, better known as Junkie XL or occasionally JXL, is a Dutch multi-instrumentalist, producer, and engineer. He uses the name JXL in cases where the term "Junkie" might ...more

19

Klaas de Vries age 73 Klaas de Vries is a Dutch composer. Until his retirement in 2009 De Vries taught composition at the Rotterdams Conservatorium and can be described as influential in the Dutch musical life.

20

Kristoffer Zegers age 44 Kristoffer Zegers is a Dutch composer. Zegers was born in Breda, and was taught by Gilius van Bergeijk, Jan Boerman, Martijn Padding, Clarence Barlow, Diderik Wagenaar at the Royal Conservatory ...more

21

Loek Dikker age 74 Loek Dikker is a film score composer.

22

Louis Andriessen age 78 Louis Andriessen is a Dutch composer and pianist based in Amsterdam. He was a composition teacher at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague. He was recipient of the Gaudeamus International ...more

23

Maarten Spruijt Maarten Spruijt is a film score composer.

24

Marco de Goeij age 51 Marco de Goeij is a Dutch composer, known for having reconstructed the lost musical score for Jon Lord's Concerto for Group and Orchestra in 1999. De Goeij studied classical guitar at the ...more

25

Margriet Ehlen age 74 Margriet Ehlen is a Dutch poet and a composer, conductor and educator of classical music.

26

Martijn Padding age 61 Martijn Padding is a Dutch composer. Taught by Louis Andriessen, Geert van Keulen and Fania Chapiro. He also studied sonology at the University of Utrecht. He is a teacher at the Royal ...more

27

Michiel van den Bos age 42 Michiel "M.C.A." van den Bos is a Dutch musician who composes primarily for Epic Games and Triumph Studios. He began composing on the Commodore 64 and Amiga before making the ...more

28

Nicolaes Craen Dec. at 67 (1440-1507)

29

Orlande de Lassus Dec. at 62 (1532-1594) Roland de Lassus was a Netherlandish or Franco-Flemish composer of the late Renaissance. He is today considered to be the chief representative of the mature polyphonic style of the ...more

30

Peter Schat Dec. at 68 (1935-2003) Peter Ane Schat was a Dutch composer. Schat studied composition with Kees van Baaren at the Utrecht Conservatoire and the Royal Conservatory of The Hague from 1952 until 1958, and then went on ...more

31

Piet Ketting Dec. at 80 (1904-1984) Piet Ketting is a composer and musician.

32

Reiner Erlings age 33

33

Richard Hageman Dec. at 85 (1881-1966) Richard Hageman was a Dutch-born American conductor, pianist, composer, and actor.

34

Rogier van Otterloo Dec. at 47 (1941-1988) Willem Rogier van Otterloo was a Dutch composer and conductor.

35

Star Inc. age 65 Ed Starink, also known as Star Inc., is a Dutch composer, arranger, session musician and record producer. Since his childhood he was fascinated by music and taught himself to play many musical ...more

36

Theo Loevendie age 87 Theo Loevendie is a Dutch composer and clarinet player. Loevendie studied composition and clarinet at the Conservatoire of Amsterdam. Initially he concentrated on jazz music. As off 1968 he also ...more

37

Tonny Eyk age 77 Tonny Eyk is a Dutch pianist, entertainer and writer. Eyk is also known for his appearances as a member of jury in various television shows including Sterrenslag, Soundmixshow and Mini ...more

38

Tristan Keuris Dec. at 50 (1946-1996) Tristan Keuris was a Dutch composer. Keuris initially studied with Jan van Vlijmen in Amersfoort. At the age of 15 he started his studies with Ton de Leeuw at the Utrecht Conservatory. Upon ...more

39

Vader Abraham age 83 Petrus Antonius Laurentius "Pierre" Kartner is a Dutch musician who sings under the alias Father Abraham, and who has written around 1600 songs.

40

Walter Hekster Dec. at 75 (1937-2012) Walter Hekster was a Dutch composer, clarinetist and conductor of classical music, specializing in contemporary classical music.

41

Willem Mengelberg Dec. at 80 (1871-1951) Joseph Willem Mengelberg was a Dutch conductor, famous for his performances of Mahler and Strauss with the Concertgebouw Orchestra.

1 Amina Figarova age 53 Amina Figarova is a jazz composer and jazz pianist. She currently lives and teaches in New York.

2 Coen van Vrijberghe de Coningh Dec. at 47 (1950-1997) Coen van Vrijberghe de Coningh was an actor.

3 David Broekman Dec. at 59 (1899-1958) David Broekman is a film score composer, songwriter and conductor.

4 Ed Warby age 50 Edward R. Warby was born and raised in Rotterdam and is best known as the drummer for Gorefest and Ayreon. He also appeared in the band Agressor in 1982 and joined the Eindhoven-based ...more

5 Eltjo Haselhoff age 55 Eltjo Haselhoff is best known as a Dutch 'fingerstyle' guitarist and composer, although he has delved into numerous other endeavours, including arts, science, musical instrument building and ...more

6 Erik van der Luijt age 47 Erik van der Luijt is a Dutch jazz pianist / keyboard player, arranger, composer, producer and band leader.

7 Ernst Reijseger age 63 Ernst Reijseger is a Dutch cellist and composer. He specializes in jazz, improvised music, and contemporary classical music and often gives solo concerts. He has worked with Louis Sclavis, Derek ...more

8 Guillaume Landré Dec. at 63 (1905-1968) Guillaume Landré was a Dutch composer of operas, 4 symphonies, and chamber music. His father, Willem Landré was also a composer; Guillaume studied under him. He also studied under ...more

9 Harry de Wit age 65 Harry de Wit is a film score composer.

10 Henk Badings Dec. at 80 (1907-1987) Henk Badings was a Dutch composer. Born in Bandung, Java, Dutch East Indies, as the son of Herman Louis Johan Badings, an officer in the Dutch East Indies army, Hendrik Herman Badings became an ...more

11 Henny Vrienten age 67 Henny Vrienten is a Dutch composer of TV- and film-scores. He used to be the singer, songwriter and bassist of the popular 1980s ska pop band Doe Maar.

12 Herman Beeftink age 65 Herman Beeftink is a film score composer.

13 Ivar de Graaf age 44 Ivar de Graaf is the founder and drummer of the Dutch progressive metal band Kingfisher Sky, but best known as the former drummer of the popular Dutch rock/metal band Within Temptation.

14 Jan Keizer age 69 Jan Keizer was a memeber of the musical group BZN.

15 Jan Vriend age 80 Jan Vriend is a Dutch classical music composer, conductor, organist and pianist. He lives in Gloucestershire, England since 1984.

16 Jan Wijn age 80 Jan Wijn is a Dutch pianist and piano pedagogue. Wijn studied at the Amsterdam Conservatory under Cornelius Berkhout, where he received his diploma in 1955. He then studied under Bela Siki in ...more

17 Jan-Bas Bollen age 57 Jan-Bas Bollen is a sound designer.

18 Junkie XL age 50 Tom Holkenborg, better known as Junkie XL or occasionally JXL, is a Dutch multi-instrumentalist, producer, and engineer. He uses the name JXL in cases where the term "Junkie" might ...more

19 Klaas de Vries age 73 Klaas de Vries is a Dutch composer. Until his retirement in 2009 De Vries taught composition at the Rotterdams Conservatorium and can be described as influential in the Dutch musical life.

20 Kristoffer Zegers age 44 Kristoffer Zegers is a Dutch composer. Zegers was born in Breda, and was taught by Gilius van Bergeijk, Jan Boerman, Martijn Padding, Clarence Barlow, Diderik Wagenaar at the Royal Conservatory ...more

21 Loek Dikker age 74 Loek Dikker is a film score composer.

22 Louis Andriessen age 78 Louis Andriessen is a Dutch composer and pianist based in Amsterdam. He was a composition teacher at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague. He was recipient of the Gaudeamus International ...more

23 Maarten Spruijt Maarten Spruijt is a film score composer.

24 Marco de Goeij age 51 Marco de Goeij is a Dutch composer, known for having reconstructed the lost musical score for Jon Lord's Concerto for Group and Orchestra in 1999. De Goeij studied classical guitar at the ...more

25 Margriet Ehlen age 74 Margriet Ehlen is a Dutch poet and a composer, conductor and educator of classical music.

26 Martijn Padding age 61 Martijn Padding is a Dutch composer. Taught by Louis Andriessen, Geert van Keulen and Fania Chapiro. He also studied sonology at the University of Utrecht. He is a teacher at the Royal ...more

27 Michiel van den Bos age 42 Michiel "M.C.A." van den Bos is a Dutch musician who composes primarily for Epic Games and Triumph Studios. He began composing on the Commodore 64 and Amiga before making the ...more

28 Nicolaes Craen Dec. at 67 (1440-1507)

29 Orlande de Lassus Dec. at 62 (1532-1594) Roland de Lassus was a Netherlandish or Franco-Flemish composer of the late Renaissance. He is today considered to be the chief representative of the mature polyphonic style of the ...more

30 Peter Schat Dec. at 68 (1935-2003) Peter Ane Schat was a Dutch composer. Schat studied composition with Kees van Baaren at the Utrecht Conservatoire and the Royal Conservatory of The Hague from 1952 until 1958, and then went on ...more

31 Piet Ketting Dec. at 80 (1904-1984) Piet Ketting is a composer and musician.

32 Reiner Erlings age 33

33 Richard Hageman Dec. at 85 (1881-1966) Richard Hageman was a Dutch-born American conductor, pianist, composer, and actor.

34 Rogier van Otterloo Dec. at 47 (1941-1988) Willem Rogier van Otterloo was a Dutch composer and conductor.

35 Star Inc. age 65 Ed Starink, also known as Star Inc., is a Dutch composer, arranger, session musician and record producer. Since his childhood he was fascinated by music and taught himself to play many musical ...more

36 Theo Loevendie age 87 Theo Loevendie is a Dutch composer and clarinet player. Loevendie studied composition and clarinet at the Conservatoire of Amsterdam. Initially he concentrated on jazz music. As off 1968 he also ...more

37 Tonny Eyk age 77 Tonny Eyk is a Dutch pianist, entertainer and writer. Eyk is also known for his appearances as a member of jury in various television shows including Sterrenslag, Soundmixshow and Mini ...more

38 Tristan Keuris Dec. at 50 (1946-1996) Tristan Keuris was a Dutch composer. Keuris initially studied with Jan van Vlijmen in Amersfoort. At the age of 15 he started his studies with Ton de Leeuw at the Utrecht Conservatory. Upon ...more

39 Vader Abraham age 83 Petrus Antonius Laurentius "Pierre" Kartner is a Dutch musician who sings under the alias Father Abraham, and who has written around 1600 songs.

40 Walter Hekster Dec. at 75 (1937-2012) Walter Hekster was a Dutch composer, clarinetist and conductor of classical music, specializing in contemporary classical music.

41 Willem Mengelberg Dec. at 80 (1871-1951) Joseph Willem Mengelberg was a Dutch conductor, famous for his performances of Mahler and Strauss with the Concertgebouw Orchestra.