Edgar Tinel

Tinel studied piano with Brassin and composition with Gavaert at the Brussels Conservatory. Initially he was interested in becoming a virtuoso performer but gave this up for composition. "Klokke Roeland" was a cantata which he composed in 1877 winning the Belgian Prize of Rome. He became the director of the Malines Institute of Religious Music in 1881. By 1889 he was serving in the Brussels Conservatory as a professor in counterpoint and later was the choir master for the king. Tinel's interests dealt with religious music particularly for the church service. His composition successes consisted of "Te Deum" settings, oratorios and any form of religious drama. Unexpected or surprising modulations in textual moments of despair illustrate Tinel's mastery of emotional sympathy. ~ Keith Johnson