Peter Cabus (Mechelen, 1923-2000) is considered one of the most prominent Flemish composers of the second half of the 20th century. He taught harmony, counterpoint, fugue and composition at the Royal College of Music in Brussels and at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel. From 1959 to 1988, succeeding Godfried Devreese, he was director of the Municipal Conservatoire in Mechelen. His main teachers were Charles Scharres (piano), Andre Gertler (chamber music) and Jean Absil (composition). Peter Cabus composed more than 200 works, an oeuvre with a wide variety of genres and settings. Peter Cabus died in Mechelen on 11 November 2000. His entire archive was bequeathed to the Royal College of Music in Brussels.
Peter Cabus knew his classics. As a performing musician and composer, he felt familiar with the rich history of compositional thinking. He incorporated all kinds of influences, ranging from Gregorian chant to his own time, into his music in a personal way. The delicate balance between the classical and the personal fascinated him very much. One of his favourite sayings: "The art is to know how far you can go too far...". He was a man of tradition. But the naughty little boy in him, who playfully and funny explores his limits, kept peeking around the corner. Composing was a pleasure and a joy for him. He loved composing and had the patience of a monk for it. His circle of friends included countless musicians. He knew how to delight each of them with yet another new brew, 'tailor-made'. This ranged from the most demanding or virtuoso works (e.g. the Sonata for cello and piano) to the most 'simple' gems for the 'little ones' (e.g. 'Two: a pair').
Peter Cabus's music is like himself: discreet, delicate, never intrusive. All human experiences and feelings come into play, but always nicely nuanced. Rather suggestive than expressed too explicitly. Always from the core of his personality: nothing of 'ego'. Only peace, harmony and beauty. Ars subtilior. - Johan Duijck
