Ernest van der Eyken

Belgian Classical Composer and Conductor

Belgian classical conductor, composer and altviolist. Born Antwerpen July 23rd 1913 Died February 6 2010 At the age of 5 he received his first musical education at the music academy in Sint-Truiden. At the age of 7 he entered the solfège class of Karel Candael at the Royal Flemish Music Conservatory in Antwerp. In 1930 he obtained his first diploma with Jan Broeckx. In 1931 he also obtained his diploma for viola with Napoleon Distelmans. Further study subjects at the Antwerp conservatory were chamber music with Albert van de Vijver, orchestral conducting with Lodewijk De Vocht, harmony with Emiel-Constant Verrees and Edward Verheyden. For counterpoint and fugue he studied privately with August de Boeck and instrumentation with Paul Gilson. Van der Eyken completed his studies in conducting with Clemens Krauss and Joseph Marx at the Internationale Dirigentenschule in Salzburg, Austria. In 1930 he made his debut as a viola player in the Great Symphony Orchestra of the 1930 World Exhibition in Antwerp. He also played in the well-known large orchestras of Antwerp (Orchestra of the Royal Flemish Opera, New Concerts, Orchestra of the Zoo Concerts as well as various chamber music ensembles). From 1942 to 1944 he was appointed second conductor of the Royal Flemish Opera. From 1952 to 1970 he taught violin and chamber music at the music academy in Ekeren. He founded the Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra in Antwerp and was also its conductor. In the 1960s he was responsible music editor for the music programs of the BRT. He also conducted the Antwerp Youth and Music Orchestra from 1963 to 1976 and was several times guest conductor of the Antwerp Philharmonic Orchestra and the Orchestra of the BRT. In 1977 he became a member of the Royal Academy of Sciences, Letters and Fine Arts of Belgium. He was also a member of the board of directors of the Union of Belgian Composers.