Andrée Bonhomme facts for kids
Andrée Marie Clémence Bonhomme (born December 1, 1905 – died March 1, 1982) was a talented Dutch composer. She wrote many pieces of music and was also a skilled pianist.
Her Life Story
Andrée Bonhomme was born in Maastricht, a city in the Netherlands. She loved music from a young age. She studied music theory and how to compose music at the Maastricht Gielen Music Lyceum. Her teachers included Henri Hermansat. She also studied in The Hague.
In 1927, Andrée earned a certificate to teach music. A year later, in 1928, she performed for the first time as both a pianist and a composer. This was with the Maastricht Municipal Orchestra. From 1928 to 1940, she spent her summers in Paris, France. There, she took special courses with a famous composer named Darius Milhaud.
After finishing her studies, Andrée worked as a composer and played the piano with the Maastricht Orchestra. In 1932, she started teaching music theory and piano at the Heerlen music school. Andrée wrote many musical works and songs, often using French words.
Her career faced challenges during World War II. She refused to sign a special declaration that was required at the time. Because of this, she had to leave her job with the orchestra. Her music could only be played at small concerts held in people's homes.
In 1972, Andrée Bonhomme received a special award from the royal family. She passed away in a nursing home fire in Brunssum in 1982. A string quartet she finished in 1957 was played for the first time in 1989, after her death. Her important papers and musical notes are kept safe at the Dutch Institute of Music in The Hague.
Her Musical Works
Andrée Bonhomme composed 51 musical pieces between 1920 and 1955. Here are some of her well-known works:
- Drie schetsen, 1928
- Pièce en forme de sonatine for violoncello and piano, 1943
- Quatre Melodies Tristan Klingsor, 1955
- Sheherazade, song cycle, 1960
- La Flute de jade
- Chansons de flûte
- Berceuse
- Le tombeau d’Antar
