Herman Strategier

(Arnhem 10-8-1912 - Doorwerth 26-10-1988)


Nederlandse versie

Contents The composer New edition of the Marian Antiphons Compositions with Latin text Compositions with Dutch text / Nederlandse tekst Compositions for organ

The composer Herman Strategier

In the period around and succeeding the Second World War a large amount of liturgical church music was produced by young composers such as Jan Mul, Albert de Klerk and Herman Strategier. These three were known as the 'Tres Pueri' (three disciples) because all three followed composition lessons with Hendrik Andriessen, to whom they dedicated their Missa Trium Puerorum'.
Herman Strategier (1912-1988) studied in Utrecht at the R.C. Church Music School (later known as the Dutch Institute for Catholic Church Music) where he was also taught the organ by Hendrik Andriessen.
Strategier was active in many areas: as a teacher at the conservatories of Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht, the R.C. Church Music School and later the Musicology Institute of Utrecht University. As a church musician he held posts in Nijmegen, Arnhem, Zeist and Utrecht (Cathedral of St. Catharine). He enjoyed a great reputation as conductor of the Dutch Madrigal Choir in Leiden, collaborating with Bruno Maderna in the Holland Festival. Herman Strategier's oeuvre is extensive: 374 compositions, both vocal and instrumental, sacred and secular, for all sorts of forces. He was often commissioned to compose for amateur musicians, and the many works in this category include pieces for (church) choirs, wind bands and other instrumental ensembles. His idiom is related to French music; among the composers he admired were Fauré, Ravel, Debussy, Boulanger, Honneger and Poulenc.

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New edition of the Marian Antiphons by Herman Strategier.

Click here left for a few pages of the score of the Marian Antiphons

Herman Strategier wrote two versions of the 'Marian antiphons'. The version for four-part mixed choir SATB and organ or three wind instruments (flute, clarinet and bassoon) was composed in 1939. A version for a single solo voice and organ was written in 1951 as part of the 'Septem Cantica'.
The 'Marian antiphons' have their own place in the church year. They are sung during Compline on Sundays according to the following scheme:
- Alma Redemptoris: during Advent and Christmas;
- Ave Regina: from Candlemas (2 February) to Maundy Thursday;
- Regina Coeli: from Easter Saturday to the Saturday after Pentecost;
- Salve Regina: from the Saturday after Pentecost to Advent.
Viewed against the background of the particular periods of the church year, the Marian antiphons are seen to comprise both hymns of praise and prayers of supplication.
It is quite possible to perform specific antiphons in a liturgical context. In addition, the four comprise a whole which lends itself as such for (church) concert performance.
The accompaniment is composed as a trio, and this must be borne in mind when choosing organ registrations. Accompaniment with flute, clarinet and bassoon gives the antiphons a special dimension.

In Alma Redemptoris Strategier's style is both polyphonic and homophonic. It begins with a canon between the soprano and tenor, later incorporating the alto and bass. The middle section is largely homophonic, while the closing passage recalls the beginning.

The harmonic structure of Ave Regina gives rise to splendid chord progressions in a calm 6/4 bar.

Regina Coeli is a celebration of the resurrection of Christ. The exuberant mood is expressed in the rhythmic and melodic structure, and underlined by the accompaniment.

Salve Regina employs a clear 'question and answer' form, both elements forming a whole within the melodic and harmonic structure. Each short instrumental interlude evokes a new question and answer. The mood of the piece is mainly contemplative. Harmonic sequences are used to particular effect.


Nico Schrama

Herman Strategier, Marian Antiphons for SATB and organ or SATB and flute, clarinet and bassoon. Published by Annie Bank Music Publishers, Amstelveen, Holland.

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Compositions with latin text by Herman Strategier

Ave admirabile Cor Jesu - SSA or TTB and organ
   ordernr. STR --10
Ave Maria - SSA a cappella
   ordernr. STR ---7
Cantate Domino (from: Drie Motetten) - SSATB a cappella
   ordernr. STR --49
Cantica pro tempore natali I (zgn. O-Antifonen) - SATB a cappella
   ordernr. STR ---9
Cantica pro tempore natali II - SATB a cappella
   ordernr. STR --11
Dic nobis Maria (from: Drie Motetten) - SSATB a cappella
   ordernr. STR --49
Domine non secundum peccata nostra (from: Drie Motetten) - SSATB a cappella
   ordernr. STR --49
Jam lucis orto sidere - SATB a cappella
   ordernr. STR --39
Lauda Sion - SATB and organ
   ordernr. STR --16
Magnificat - SSA of TTB and organ or flute and strings
   ordernr. STR --18 version with organ
   ordernr. STR --20 version with flute and strings
Maria-antifonen, Vier - unisono and organ
   ordernr. STR --15-1
Maria-antifonen, Vier - SATB and organ or SATB, flute, clarinet and bassoon
   ordernr. STR --22-1
Missa Cathedralis - SSAATTBB and organ
   ordernr. STR --34-1
Missa Custos Domini - SATTBB and organ
   ordernr. STR ---2-1
Missa Fons Amoris - SSA en Orgel    
   ordernr. 11.900.243
Missa Sine nomine I - SSA or TTB
   ordernr. STR ---1
- Missa Sine nomine II - SATB, brass and organ or SATB and organ   
   ordernr. 11.900.242
   Samples of the different parts:
   Kyrie - Gloria - Sanctus - Benedictus - Agnus Dei
Missa Tibi laus - SA or TB and organ
   ordernr. STR ---6
Missa Vox Sponsae - SATB a cappella
   ordernr. STR --32
Motetten, Drie (Domine non secundum peccata nostra, Dic nobis Maria en Cantate Domino) - SSATB a cappella
   ordernr. STR --49
O-antifonen (Cantica pro tempore natali I) - SATB a cappella
   ordernr. STR ---9  
Pater noster - SSA or TTB
   ordernr. STR --47
Proprium Dominica XXIII post Pentecostes (Wisselende Gezangen voor de 23e zondag na Pinksteren) - SA or TB and organ
   ordernr. STR ---3
Sancta Maria - SATB and organ
   ordernr. STR --28
Still still still (Salzburgisches Volkslied) - SATB a cappella
   ordernr. STR --57  
Tantum ergo - SSA a cappella
   ordernr. STR --45  
Tantum ergo (from: Missa Tibi laus) - SA and organ
   ordernr. STR --30  
Te lucis ante terminum - SATB a cappella
   ordernr. STR --41  

Eight Latin Motets for equal voices a cappella
   van De Klerk, Mul en Strategier

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Compositions with Dutch text / Nederlandse tekst

Alle einden der aarde (tussenzang naar psalm 98) - SATB, volk en orgel
   ordernr. CAN -101
Alle einden der aarde (tussenzang naar psalm 98) - SSA, volk en orgel
   ordernr. CAN -102
Alleluia de Heer heeft zijn kracht ontplooid (uit: Motetten voor de Paastijd) - SATB en orgel
   ordernr. STR --53b
Daar was e wuf - TTBB a cappella
   ordernr. STR --25
De Heer is voor wie Hem aanroept nabij (tussenzang naar ps 145) - SATB, volk en  orgel
   ordernr. CAN -412
Des winters als het regent - TTBB a cappella
   ordernr. STR --31
Dit is de dag GL 429 - STB a cappella
   ordernr. T -341
Dit is de dag GL 429 - SA of TB en orgel
   ordernr. T -340
Drinkliedt op de pekelharingh - TTBB a cappella
   ordernr. STR --13
Geest van de waarheid, De (uit: Motetten voor de Paastijd) - SATB en orgel
   ordernr. STR --53
Gij zijt in glans verschenen GL 450 - SAT a cappella
   ordernr. T -153
Gij zijt in glans verschenen GL 450 - SATB a cappella
   ordernr. T -154
Gij zijt in glans verschenen GL 450 - SA en orgel
   ordernr. T -152
Gij zijt mijn beschermer (tussenzang naar ps 71) - SAB, volk en orgel
   ordernr. CAN -423  
Gildebroeders - TTBB a cappella
   ordernr. STR --21  
GL  98 Alle einden der aarde (tussenzang naar psalm 98) - SSA, volk en orgel
   ordernr. CAN -102
GL  98 Alle einden der aarde (tussenzang naar psalm 98) - SATB, volk en orgel
   ordernr. CAN -101
GL 145 De Heer is voor wie Hem aanroept nabij (tussenzang) - SATB, volk en orgel
   ordernr. CAN -412  
GL 429 Dit is de dag - SA of TB en orgel
   ordernr. T -340
GL 429 Dit is de dag - STB a cappella
   ordernr. T -341
GL 450 Gij zijt in glans verschenen - SAT a cappella
   ordernr. T -153
GL 450 Gij zijt in glans verschenen - SA en orgel
   ordernr. T -152
GL 450 Gij zijt in glans verschenen - SATB a cappella
   ordernr. T -154
GL 453 Heer herinner U de namen - SA of TB en orgel
   ordernr. STR --59
GL 458 Het was een Maged uitverkoren - SA of TB en orgel
   ordernr. T --45  
God is ons een toevlucht (tussenzang naar ps 46) - SAB, volk en orgel
   ordernr. CAN -428  
Heer herinner U de namen GL 453 / LvdK 273 - SA of TB en orgel
   ordernr. STR --59  
Het was een Maged uitverkoren GL 458 - SA of TB en orgel
   ordernr. T --45  
Ik ben de verrijzenis (tussenzang uit psalm 115) - unisono, volk en orgel
   ordernr. CAN -305  
In eigen kracht verrezen - unisono en orgel
   ordernr. STR --29
Juicht voor den Heer (uit: Motetten voor de Paastijd) - SATB en orgel
   ordernr. STR --53
Komt vrienden in het ronde - TTBB a cappella
   ordernr. STR --27
LvdK 273 Heer herinner U de namen - SA of TB en orgel
   ordernr. STR --59
Nederlandse Volksliederen, Vijf - TTBB a cappella
   ordernr. STR --17
Ontloken is de roze - SB of SA of TB
   ordernr. T --46  
Ontloken is de roze - SATB a cappella
   ordernr. T --47
Ontloken is de roze - SAB a cappella
   ordernr. T --52
Optimistisch lied - SATB a cappella
   ordernr. 11900038
Ps  25 Tot U Heer stijgt mijn verlangen (tussenzang) - SATB, volk en orgel
   ordernr. CAN -411
Ps  31 Wees mij Heer tot een onneembare rots (tussenzang) - SATB, volk en orgel
   ordernr. CAN -408  
Ps  46 God is ons een toevlucht (tussenzang) - SAB, volk en orgel
   ordernr. CAN -428  
Ps  71 Gij zijt mijn beschermer (tussenzang) - SAB, volk en orgel
   ordernr. CAN -423  
Ps  96 Vrede zij U halluluja (tussenzang) - Voorzang, volk en orgel
   ordernr. CAN -304  
Ps  98 Alle einden der aarde - SSA, volk en orgel
   ordernr. CAN -102  
Ps  98 Alle einden der aarde (tussenzang) - SATB, volk en orgel
   ordernr. CAN -101  
Ps 115 Ik ben de verrijzenis - unisono, volk en orgel
   ordernr. CAN -305  
Ps 122 Vrede zij u halleluja (tussenzang) - unisono, volk en orgel
   ordernr. CAN -306  
Ps 145 De Heer is voor wie Hem aanroept nabij (tussenzang) - SATB, volk en orgel
   ordernr. CAN -412
Tot U Heer stijgt mijn verlangen (tussenzang naar  ps 25) - SATB en orgel
   ordernr. CAN -411  
Vastenavond, De - TTBB a cappella
   ordernr. STR --19  
Verheugd was ik (Graduale) - SATB a cappella
   ordernr. STR --55  
Verkondig het woord (uit: Motetten voor de Paastijd) - SATB en orgel
   ordernr. STR --53  
Vrede zij U halleluja (tussenzang naar psalm 96) - Voorzang, volk en orgel
   ordernr. CAN -304  
Vrede zij u halleluja (tussenzang uit psalm 122) - unisono, volk en orgel
   ordernr. CAN -306  
Wees mij Heer tot een onneembare rots (tussenzang naar ps 31) - SATB, volk en orgel
   ordernr. CAN -408  
Wij zijn al bijeen - TTBB a cappella
   ordernr. STR --23  
Zingt God de Heer de almachtige koning - SA of TB a cappella
   ordernr. T -343  
Zingt God de Heer de almachtige koning - STB a cappella
   ordernr. T -344

Compositions for organ by Herman Strategier

Naamvariaties over 'Maarten Vente' - Organ (manuals only)
   ordernr. STR --36

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