Passing of Louis Andriessen, 2011 Grawemeyer Award Recipient in Music Composition

The Grawemeyer Award for Music Composition announces with sorrow the passing of Louis Andriessen, winner of the 2011 Award for his large scale opera, La Commedia, based on texts by Dante, in 2011.  Maestro Andriessen spent about a week on campus where, among other activities, he gave lessons to University of Louisville composition students, as well as spending time with students, faculty and community members on a less formal basis.  He was a joy to be around, witty (in several languages) and inquisitive, a person who lived and large life and loved it.  Our students gained much from their time and interaction with him.

It should be noted that UofL composition professor Krzysztof Wołek was a student of Andriessen in the Netherlands, before either of them had come to Louisville.   Andriessen’s visit to campus was also a reunion for the two of them.

His music and his teaching influenced generations of composers all over the world and he shall be missed.

New York Times Obituary:  https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/01/arts/music/louis-andriessen-dead.html