BIOGRAPHY

Name: Charles E.J. Belfor
Date of Birth: December 3, 1986
Place of Birth: Katwijk aan Zee, The Netherlands
Current Location: Groningen, The Netherlands

Charles Belfor, a Dutch composer of Afro-Surinamese* descent, was born and raised in a small city called 'Katwijk aan Zee'. He took interest in classical music at a very early age, as he often listened to classical music during his youth. He started playing the electronic organ at the age of 7; the electronic organ provided him the first opportunity to compose music. As his interest in classical music grew, he decided to pick up the violoncello at the age of 9. He followed cello lessons at the 'Gemeentelijke Muziekschool Katwijk' (School of Music of Katwijk) for about 10 years. His cello teacher was Mariette Gort; a formidable solo cellist.

Belfor taught himself how to compose since he was about 7 years old. Sadly, his earliest compositions have not been preserved, as he stopped composing for quite a few years and he did not write all of them down. He finally resumed composing in 2001 and started to learn more about harmony, pitch and orchestration. He personally believes that composers should keep on learning more and more, as they keep on composing. As he often fondly states: “Nemo solus satis sapit.” (Nobody is wise enough by himself.)

Some of Belfor's work has been influenced by a few of his own favourite classical composers. Composers like Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, Beethoven and Bruch. As he also took interest in game/movie soundtracks and their composers, some of his work has also been influenced by movie and/or game music composers. Composers like Basil Poledouris, Jerry Goldsmith, Terence Blanchard and Nobuo Uematsu. Regardless of those influences, Belfor continues to develop his own style and he continues to refine his composition skills.

Belfor has experience working with (symphony) orchestras, ensembles and concert choirs. He mostly composes music for 'regular' concerts, movie soundtracks and computer games. Besides that, he has participated in orchestras and ensembles for numerous projects. Since November 2008, he is also a band member of the Dutch experimental and acoustic band 'Septæder'. Most recently, Charles Belfor started studying classical organ at the 'Stedelijke Muziekschool Groningen', with the guidance of organist Leonore Lub.

* = Surinamese; someone from Suriname. The Republic of Suriname is a country in northern South America.