Dresden, Sem (1881–1957)

Dutch conductor and composer. He studied under Zweers at the Copenhagen Conservatory and with Pfitzner in Germany. He became a choral conductor, cultivating particularly motets and madrigals in Holland. He was director of the Amsterdam Conservatory 1924–37, and then of that at The Hague, in succession to Wagenaar. He was compelled to withdraw from public life during the German occupation of Holland, but composed much during that period. He wrote a book on Dutch Music since 1880.

Works opera François Villon (produced posthumously in Amsterdam in 1958); Chorus tragicus for chorus and orchestra; variations for orchestra; violin concerto; Symphonietta for clarinet and orchestra; string quartet, sextet for strings and piano, three sextets for wind and piano; sonatas for violin and piano, cello and piano, and flute and harp; duo for two pianos; piano pieces; songs.