Pieter Hellendaal

Pieter Hellendaal (1 April 1721 – 19 April 1799) was a Dutch composer, organist and violinist. At the age of 30, he migrated to England where he lived for the last 48 of his 78 years, and where he was known as Peter Hellendaal. He was one of the most notable 18th-century composers of Dutch origin. His son, also Peter Hellendaal (sometimes known as Peter Hellendaal the younger) was also a professional musician. Life Early and student years Hellendaal was born in Rotterdam on 1 April 1721, the son of Neeltje Lacroix and Johannes Hellendaal. Johannes earned a living to support his family as a candle-maker while seeking paid gigs, and teaching and working with amateur musicians. As a father, Johannes provided his son Pieter with an intense musical education, including organ and violin. In addition to his highly creative compositions and prodigious craft as a performer, Pieter in maturity maintained himself by compositions and self-publications that respected and supported amateur musicians. In 1731, the Hellendaal family moved to Utrecht where Pieter – still juvenile – became organist for the church, a highly visible and prestigious position: Popularly known as the “Santa Claus” Church