Bernard van Dieren

Full biography Bernard van Dieren

Bernard van Dieren (1887-1936) was a Dutch composer, critic, author, and writer on music , who spent much of his working life in England. He is considered one of the lesser-known but highly-regarded composers of the 20th century.

Van Dieren's output as a composer was varied, but he is perhaps best known for his symphonies, including the "Chinese Symphony," which is considered one of his masterpieces. He was also a prolific writer of songs, and his vocal works are highly regarded for their poetic quality and emotional depth.

In addition to his work as a composer, van Dieren was also a music critic and author. He wrote extensively on music, including a book on the history of Indian music, and was known for his incisive and insightful critiques of contemporary music.

Van Dieren's music is characterized by its complex harmonic language and highly expressive melodies. His early works were heavily influenced by Schoenberg and other avant-garde composers, but he later developed a more tonal style that was still largely polyphonic.

Despite his many accomplishments, van Dieren remains a relatively obscure figure in the world of classical music. However, his music continues to be performed and studied by a dedicated group of enthusiasts, and he is considered an important and unique voice in the musical landscape of the 20th century.