Guillemyn, Robert

Guillemyn, Robert – Berceuse blanche (White lullaby), Quintette à cordes (Piano score & 5 string parts)

(Ghent, 9 September 1882 – Bruges, 23 December 1945)

(s.a.)

Robert Guillemyn studied at the Royal Conservatoire of Ghent with Albert Zimmer (violin) and Johan Smit (viola). As a composer, he enjoyed success with his light-hearted ballets and musical theatre works. His ballets Le fiancé de Colombine (1907) and Pupazzi were successful in Antwerp and Ghent, his ‘mimo-drame’ Pierrot père et fils was premiered at the Grand Théâtre in Ghent (1914), while his ‘drame lyrique’ Le signal was premiered at the Théâtre français in Antwerp (1920); his operetta Rêve de reine was performed at the Folies-Bergère in Brussels (1928).
He also composed songs (with French and Dutch lyrics), choral works, piano and chamber music, and orchestral works. A well-known orchestral work is Chant d’automne for horn and orchestra, which was premiered in 1928 by Maurice Van Bocxstaele and the orchestra of the Ostend Kursaal.
Several of his compositions were published in Brussels, Ghent and Paris. As a conductor, he was active in many places, including Ghent, Blankenberge (where he conducted the Casino orchestra) and Nîmes.
Guillemyn dedicated his Berceuse blanche to the Blitz Quintet(te) from Houston. It is unclear what his contacts with this quintet were.

Jan Dewilde

Facsimile of a copy of the library of the Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp (KVC 254867). This score is published in cooperation with the Centre for the Study of Flemish Music (www.svm.be).

> read German or Flemish preface  … > HERE