Julianus Marie August De Boeck (May 9, 1865 in
Merchtem,
Belgium – October 9, 1937 in Merchtem) was a
Flemish composer, organist and music pedagogue. He was the son of organist and director Florentinus (Flor) De Boeck (1826-1892)
Career
From 1880 he studied organ at the
Royal Conservatory of Brussels under Alphonse Mailly, whose assistant he became until 1902.
In 1889 he met the young
Paul Gilson who became a close friend and, despite being the same age, his teacher for orchestration. Gilson encouraged De Boeck's composition work.
He became an organist at various churches in Belgian villages (1892-1894 in Merchtem, 1894-1920 in
Elsene). His academic career continued in 1907 as professor of harmony at the
Royal Conservatory of Antwerp (1909–1920) and the Brussels Conservatory, and as director of the Conservatory of
Mechelen (1921–1930). His students included
Maria Scheepers. In 1930 August De Boeck retired to his birthplace, Merchtem.
As with Gilson, De Boeck's style was influenced by the
Russian Five, and especially
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Along with Gilson, he introduced
impressionist composition in Belgium. He wrote about 400 compositions including vocal work, operas, religious pieces and instrumental compositions.