Jef van Hoof

Jef van Hoof was a Flemish composer and conductor.

Biography

Born on 8 May 1866, in Antwerp, van Hoof was a pupil of Paul Gilson and was heavily influenced by the works of Peter Benoit. His dedication to the Flemish cause led him to collaborate with the German occupiers in World War I, for which he was subsequently sentenced to eight months in prison.
He studied at the Royal Conservatoire Antwerp, of which he was the director from 1942 to 1944. In 1933, he founded the where he worked as a conductor for many years. He also conducted concerts associated with the Flemish Movement. He died in Antwerp on 24 April 1959, aged 72.
He composed chamber music, symphonic works, art songs, works for solo piano, carillon, organ, as well as sacred music. He is particularly known for writing the Flemish patriotic song "Groeninge" to a text by Guido Gezelle.