Gertrude van den Bergh

Full biography Gertrude van den Bergh

Gertrude van den Bergh was a Dutch composer known for her works in the early 20th century. Born in 1899 in Amsterdam, she began playing the piano at a very young age, eventually leading her to pursue a career in music.

She studied composition at the conservatory in Amsterdam and was greatly influenced by her teacher, Sem Dresden. Her early works were mainly influenced by German Romanticism, but as she progressed in her compositions, she began to incorporate modernist techniques and tonal experimentation in her works.

Van den Bergh's music was well-received during her lifetime and was often described as being lyrically intricate and harmonically interesting. She composed a variety of works, including chamber music, choral music, and orchestral pieces.

Van den Bergh was also an advocate for women's rights and worked to bring attention to the challenges faced by female composers. In 1928, she co-founded the Dutch Women's Music Association, which aimed to promote the works of female composers and to encourage more opportunities for women in the music industry.

Despite her contributions to the music world, Van den Bergh's works fell into obscurity after her death in 1972. However, in recent years, there has been a renewed interest in her music, and her compositions are now being performed and recorded more frequently.