(b. 1959, Mol).

Belgian composer of mostly stage, orchestral, chamber, and piano works that have been performed throughout Europe; he is also active as a pianist.

Mr. Hus studied at the Koninklijk Conservatorium in Brussels and the Hogeschool Gent Conservatorium, including piano with Robert Steyaert, and earned his diplôme supérieur in 1984.

As a pianist, he has most often performed contemporary music, including with his ensemble Maximalist! and many collaborations with with Frederic Rzewski, though he has also played free jazz with the Belgisch Pianokwartet and rock with the Simpletones.

SELECT LIST OF WORKS

STAGE:

Muurwerk (dance music, choreography by Roxane Huilmand), violin, viola, cello, 1985 (may be performed as a concert work; also concert versions for clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone; clarinet, violin, cello; 4 saxophones)

Die Nacht (opera, libretto by Wolfgang Kolb), 1987 (incomplete)

Hic et Nunc (dance music, choreography by Roxane Huilmand), piano, 1990

Orfeo – A Night (opera, libretto by Jan Lauwers, Marie Brouchot, the composer), 3 soloists, speaker, mixed chorus, ensemble, 1993 (also concert version of some sections as Orfeo Sonata, piano)

Francesco's Paradox (madrigal opera, libretto by Stefan Hertmans), mixed chorus, ensemble, 1996 (incomplete)

Devouring Muses (dance music, choreography and text by Ireni Stamou), 10 female voices, 1997

Meneer, de zot en tkint (opera, libretto by Jan Decorte), 12 mixed voices, Hammond organ, accordion, 2000

Bloetwollefduivel (opera, libretto by Jan Decorte), 3 soloists, 4 saxophones, 2001

Titusandonderonikustmijnklote (opera, libretto by Jan Decorte; all players also speak), tuba, guitar, cello, Hammond organ, accordion (all + percussion), live electronics, 2002

ORCHESTRAL:

For a Leather Jacket – Concerto, violin, orchestra, 1990 (also version as The Leather Jacket Trio, clarinet, violin, piano)

La Théorie, 1998 (version of String Quartet No. 1, 'La Théorie')

Le Désir, 1998 (version of String Quartet No. 2, 'Le Désir')

Preludes and Fugues, Book I (2, 4, 6), 1998 (version of sections of work for piano; also version for string orchestra, 1998)

Wastelands, symphonic band, 1998 (also version as Even in the industrial wastelands of Eleusis the priestesses howl, speaker, symphonic band)

Five to Five, string orchestra, 1999 (version of chamber work; also version for symphonic band, 1999)

Le Miroir, 1999 (version of String Quartet No. 3, 'Le Miroir')

La Nuit (concerto), piano, orchestra, 1999 (also version for 2 pianos)

CHAMBER MUSIC:

Five to Five, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, cello, 2 pianos, 1984 (also versions for string quartet, 1988; piano; string orchestra; symphonic band)

Muurwerk, violin, viola, cello, 1985 (concert version of dance music; also versions for clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, 1986; clarinet, violin, cello, 1989; 4 saxophones, 2000)

String Quartet No. 1, 'La Théorie', 1988 (also versions as La Théorie, 2 pianos; flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, French horn, piano, 1994; orchestra; sections also included in film The Pillow Book)

String Quartet No. 2, 'Le Désir', 1991 (also version as Le Désir, orchestra; version as Four Preludes [Ping Pong], piano)

The Leather Jacket Trio, clarinet, violin, piano, 1993 (version of For a Leather Jacket – Concerto)

Ohne Ungeduld, clarinet, piano, 1995 (also version for cello, piano, 1995)

Cadenza, cello, 1995 (also versions for violin/viola, 1995; clarinet/bass clarinet, 1995; marimba, 1995)

String Quartet No. 3, 'Le Miroir', 1996 (also versions as Le Miroir, 4 clarinets, 1998; orchestra)

Preludes and Fugues, Book I (2, 4, 6), flute, bass clarinet, violin, viola, cello, piano, percussion, 1998 (version of sections of work for piano; also versions for flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, bassoon, trumpet, tuba, 1998; oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, bassoon, 1998)

Le Parfum, jazz ensemble, 1999

String Quartet No. 4, 'La Folie', 2000

Preludes and Fugues, Book II (11), 4 saxophones, 2001 (version of section of work for 2 pianos)

CHORAL:

Egidiuslied, 4 male voices, 1998

Op een dag (text by Peter Verhelst), 4 mixed voices, 2000

VOCAL:

Der Mann im blauen Mantel (song-cycle, text by Rainer Maria Rilke), mezzo-soprano/baritone, clarinet, piano, string quartet, 1994 (also versions for voice, piano, 1994; mezzo-soprano/baritone, orchestra, 1998)

Francesco's Paradox (text by Stefan Hertmans), countertenor, piano, 1996 (also versions for voice, piano, 1996; baritone, orchestra, 1998)

Even in the industrial wastelands of Eleusis the priestesses howl, speaker, symphonic band, 1998 (version of Wastelands)

PIANO:

Five to Five, 1994 (version of chamber work)

La Théorie, 2 pianos, 1994 (version of String Quartet No. 1, 'La Théorie')

Four Preludes (Ping Pong), 1995 (version of String Quartet No. 2, 'Le Désir')

Orfeo Sonata, 1995 (concert version of some sections from Orfeo – A Night)

Nox Æterna, 1996

Preludes and Fugues, Book I (1–6), 1998 (also versions of 2, 4, 6 for flute, bass clarinet, violin, viola, cello, piano, percussion; flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, bassoon, trumpet, tuba; oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, bassoon; orchestra; string orchestra; organ)

La Nuit (concerto), 2 pianos, 1999 (version of work for piano, orchestra)

Preludes and Fugues, Book II (7–12, Interlude), 2 pianos, 2001 (also version of 11 for 4 saxophones, 2001)

Preludes and Fugues, Book III (13–18), 2 pianos, 2003

Preludes and Fugues, Book IV (19–24), 2004

ORGAN:

Preludes and Fugues, Book I (2, 4, 6), 1998 (version of sections of work for piano)

FILM SCORES (DIRECTOR):

Suite 16, 1994 (Dominique Deruddere)

The Pillow Book, 1996 (Peter Greenaway; includes sections of String Quartet No. 1, 'La Théorie')

DISCOGRAPHY

Eight Études on Improvisation (withdrawn). Walter Hus, piano (IGL: 016) (LP)

Five to Five (original version). Maximalist! (IGL: 021) (LP)

Five to Five (version for string quartet); Muurwerk (original version); String Quartet No. 1, 'La Théorie'. Quadro Quartet (Carbon 7: 008)

Devouring Muses; String Quartet No. 3, 'Le Miroir'. Lucy Grauman, Magali Schoentjes, female voices; Smith Quartet (Carbon 7: 025/Happy New Ears: 003)

Muurwerk (original version). Quadro Quartet (Factory Classics: 386)

Preludes and Fugues, Book I (1–6). Walter Hus, piano (Gents Muzikaal Archief, Volume 14)

Five to Five (version for piano); Four Preludes (Ping Pong); Nox Æterna. Walter Hus, piano (Happy New Ears: 002)

Francesco's Paradox (original version). Peter De Groot, countertenor; Walter Hus, piano (Happy New Ears: 004)

String Quartet No. 1, 'La Théorie' (excerpt). Quadro Quartet (LBS: 10970101/BM 650)

Even in the industrial wastelands of Eleusis the priestesses howl. Geert Verschaeve/Koninklijk Harmonieorkest Vooruit (NM: 002)