H. Pieter Van der Westhuizen op 90 : 'n Biografiese oorsig

Abstract

Hercules Pieter van der Westhuizen (*1931) is a South African composer who served on the Interchurch Review Commission of the Afrikaans Psalm Anthology in 1977. His contributions to the church and choir repertoire in Afrikaans is a significant art treasure that are still used and often performed. In addition to his role as composer, Van der Westhuizen played an important role as music teacher, lecturer, choir conductor and organist. Despite his contributions to music, and apart from the many acknowledgements and awards, he received little academic attention. The goal of this article is to address this shortage of a published, comprehensive biographical overview, as well as to celebrate his 90th birthday that is celebrated this year (2021). This article is a narrative biographical study. Information for this article was mostly collected by means of various interviews and conversations with Van der Westhuizen. The main sources for this article were the information of the written interviews, Van der Westhuizen’s curriculum vitae and available literature. The information provided in this article was reviewed and confirmed by Van der Westhuizen. His biographical details are discussed, starting with his training, followed by his work as pedagogue, organist, choir conductor and composer. An overview of his awards and acknowledgements, concluding with his legacy is also included. Hercules Pieter van der Westhuizen (*1931-) is 'n Suid-Afrikaanse komponis wat tesame met Hennie Coetzee en Willem Mathlener op die Interkerklike Hersieningskommissie van die Afrikaanse Psalmbundel in 1977 gedien het. Van der Westhuizen was die verteenwoordiger van die NGKerk. Sy bydraes tot die kerk- en koorrepertoire in Afrikaans is 'n besonderse kunsskat wat tot vandag toe nog gereelde gebruik en uitvoering geniet. Bykomend tot sy rol as komponis, word Van der Westhuizen deur baie mense onthou as musiekonderwyser en -dosent, koordirigent en orrelis. Ondanks sy buitengewone bydraes tot musiek, en afgesien van die talle erkennings en toekennings wat hy ontvang het, het Van der Westhuizen minder akademiese aandag geniet as wat hy verdien. 'n Biografiese studie is in 2008 onderneem, maar die skripsie is nie gepubliseer of in 'n biblioteek beskikbaar nie. Volgens Van der Westhuizen is daar talle feitefoute in dié skripsie en kan dit nie as 'n betroubare bron gebruik word nie. 'n Huldigingsbundel wat in 2007 deur die Vriende van Afrikaans onder leiding van Amanda de Stadler uitgegee is, is 'n waardevolle bron van Van der Westhuizen se musiek. Dit is egter 'n bladmusiekbundel met min biografiese inligting oor Van der Westhuizen self. Die doel van hierdie artikel is om dié leemte te vul deur 'n omvattende biografiese studie van Van der Westhuizen as orrelis, koorleier en komponis tot die beperkte literatuur oor hom te voeg en terselfdertyd hulde te bring aan Van der Westhuizen wat vanjaar (2021) sy 90ste verjaardag vier.