Frédéric Devreese

• Name — Frédéric Devreese • Born — 2 June 1929 • Birthplace — Amsterdam • Died — 28 September 2020 • Place of death — Brussels • Years Active — 1949–2020 • Spouse — Annie De Clerck • Awards — * Order of the Crown • Order of Leopold II • Occupation — Composer, conductor • Website — http: www.fdevreese.be

Born in Amsterdam, Devreese received his first musical training from his father, the composer-conductor Godfried Devreese (1893–1972). He studied composition with Marcel Poot and conducting with René Defossez in Brussels, composition with Ildebrando Pizzetti at the Accademia Santa Cecilia in Rome from 1952 to 1955 and conducting with Hans Swarowsky at the University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna in 1955–56. Devreese composed music for piano, chamber music, orchestra, choir, opera and ballet, but became widely known initially for his film scores. In addition, he wrote the imposed work for the Reine Elisabeth music competition in Brussels (1983, Concerto No. 4) and the Adolphe Sax competition in Dinant (1998, Ostinati). He served as conductor of the BRT Philharmonic Orchestra and guest-conducted orchestras throughout the world. For his recordings for Marco Polo's series Anthology of Flemish Music, he was nominated for the Cultural Ambassador of Flanders in 1996–97.

Devreese was married to Annie De Clerck. He died of cancer.

• Willem van Saefthinge, TV opera (1962–63), libretto by Jean Francis • Le Cavalier bizarre, opera (1976), libretto by Michel de Ghelderode

• Concerto No. 1, piano, orchestra (1949) • Concerto, violin, orchestra (1951) • Concerto No. 2, piano, orchestra (1952) • Symphony (1952) • Concerto No. 3, piano, orchestra (1955) • Mascarade Suite (1956) • Deux Mouvements, string orchestra (1953–63) • Evocation Suite (1966) • Divertimenti, string orchestra (1970) • Overture, large orchestra (1976) • Concerto No. 4, piano, orchestra (1983) • Pré (1983) • Benvenuta Suite (1984) • Gemini Suite, 2 orchestras (1986), version of work for 2 pianos • L'Oeuvre au noir Suite (1988) • Masque, brass band (1989) • Valse Sacrée (1989) • Thème et Danse (1989) • Belle Suite, string orchestra (1991) • Variations and Theme, string orchestra (1992) • Valse Sacrée, string orchestra (1994) • La partie d'échecs Suite, string orchestra (1995) • Ostinati (concertino), alto saxophone, accordion, string orchestra (1998) • Concertino, cello, bandoneón, string orchestra (1998) • Concerto, cello, orchestra (1999)

• Complainte, oboe, piano (1953) • Divertimenti a due, violin, cello (1968) • Divertimenti, string quartet (1970) • Suite No. 1, French horn, 2 trumpets, trombone, tuba (1970) • 4 Short Waltzes, 4 recorders (1979) • Suite No. 2, French horn, 2 trumpets, trombone, tuba (1981) • 5 Divertimenti, 4 saxophones (1985) • Benvenuta, violin, piano (1987) • Valse Sa, ensemble (1987) • Sax Blues, alto saxophone, piano (1989) • Benvenuta, violin, cello, piano (1990) • Berceuse et Finale, violin, piano (1991) • Three Dances, 10 winds (1991) • Passage, harmonica, jazz ensemble (1994) • Divertimenti a due, guitar, violin (1996) • Suite, alto saxophone, piano (1998) • Récitativo et Allegro, trumpet, piano (2000) • Canti, cello (or viola), piano (2000) • Blues, trumpet, piano (2001) • Quartet, violin, viola, cello, piano (2001) • 3 Pieces, flute/alto saxophone, piano (2002) • James Ensor Quartet (quartet no. 2), 4 saxophones (2002) • Passage à 5, guitar (+ electric guitar), violin, double bass, piano, accordion (2002)

• Four Old Flemish Songs, mixed chorus (1966) • Ballade for Damien, children's chorus, harmonica, string orchestra (1988)

• Mascarade (1953) • Prélude (1972) • Gemini Suite, 2 pianos (1980), also version for 2 orchestras • Black and White (9 Easy Pieces) (1984) • Lullaby for Jesse (1992) • Short Waltzes (1997) • Mobile I, piano 4 hands (2000) • Soundtrack 1–3 (30 pieces) (1972–2001) • 9 Waltzes (2001)

Frédéric Devreese is recorded as conductor, composer, film score composer and musician.

Devreese received the following prizes: • Prijs Oostende Piano Competition (1949, for Concerto No. 1) • Prix Italia (1964, for Willem van Saefthingen, together with Mark Liebrecht) • Joseph Plateau Award (1990, for Het Sacrament) • Georges Delerue Award (1994, for La partie d'échecs)

• Knight of the Order of the Crown • Knight of the Order of Leopold II He was knighted by Albert II of Belgium in 1996. His motto is Tenuto.