Eduard van Beinum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eduard van Beinum
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| Background information | |
| Born | 3 September 1900 Arnhem, Netherlands |
| Died | 13 April 1959 (aged 58) Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Genres | Classical |
| Occupation(s) | Conductor, pedagogue |
| Instruments | Piano, violin |
| Years active | 1918–1959 |
| Associated acts | Concertgebouw Orchestra London Philharmonic Los Angeles Philharmonic |
Eduard Alexander van Beinum (born September 3, 1900 – died April 13, 1959) was a famous Dutch conductor. He was known for leading many orchestras, especially the Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam.
A Life in Music
Eduard van Beinum was born in Arnhem, Netherlands. He started learning the violin and piano when he was very young. Music was a big part of his family! His grandfather led a military band. His father played the double bass in a local orchestra. Eduard's brother, Co, was also a violinist. They even played music together as a duo.
In 1918, Eduard joined the Arnhem Orchestra as a violinist. While studying at the Amsterdam Conservatoire, he started gaining experience as a conductor. He led several concerts for amateur groups. He also conducted the choir at the church of St. Nicholas in Amsterdam. In 1925, he got his first official conducting job in Zutphen. From 1927 to 1931, he led the Haarlem Orchestral Society.
Leading Famous Orchestras
In 1929, Eduard van Beinum was a guest conductor for the first time with the Concertgebouw Orchestra. This orchestra is very famous! In 1931, he became their second conductor. He worked alongside another well-known conductor, Willem Mengelberg. By 1938, van Beinum became a co-principal conductor, sharing the top role with Mengelberg.
During World War II, van Beinum did not like the Nazis. He tried to stay away from their influence as much as possible. He even refused to conduct a concert that would have helped the Nazis. He said he would quit if he was forced to do it. After the war, Mengelberg was removed from his position. Van Beinum then became the only principal conductor of the Concertgebouw Orchestra. His recordings with this orchestra are still available today.
In 1947, van Beinum also became the main conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO). He led them for two successful seasons. However, he had some health problems, including a heart condition. This sometimes made it hard for him to conduct.
International Recognition
In 1954, Eduard van Beinum visited the United States for the first time as a guest conductor. He led the Philadelphia Orchestra. Later that year, he took the Concertgebouw Orchestra on its first tour of the U.S.
In 1956, van Beinum celebrated 25 years with the Concertgebouw Orchestra. He received a special award called "Grand Officer of the Order of Orange Nassau." He also got an honorary degree from the University of Amsterdam. From 1956 to 1959, he was also the music director for the Los Angeles Philharmonic in the U.S.
On April 13, 1959, Eduard van Beinum sadly passed away. He had a heart attack while rehearsing with the Concertgebouw Orchestra. He was preparing them to play a piece by Johannes Brahms. He was buried in Garderen, a place where he had a home.
After his death, the Eduard van Beinum Foundation was created in 1960. This foundation helps support music. There is also a school in Rotterdam named after him, called the Openbare Basisschool Eduard Van Beinum.
His Family
Eduard van Beinum was married to Sepha Jansen. She was also a violinist in the Concertgebouw Orchestra. They had two sons, Eduard and Bartholemeus (Bart). Both of their sons became musicians too. In 2000, Bart van Beinum wrote a book about his father's life and work.]]
