The composer, arranger and pianist Harry Bannink (1929-1999) was a modest man. Known by children, this 'head goat breier' in the pre-school program Film Van Ome Willem has set no less than 3000 texts in his life, for numerous radio and television programs and musicals. He composed for the musical Heerlijk Duurt 't Langst, for comedy series' t Schaep Met De 5 Poten and Ja Zuster Nee Zuster and for
… youth programs such as De Stratemakeropzeeshow, Sesamstraat and Het Klokhuis. Bannink had a great talent for writing catchy and appropriate melodies to texts by Annie MG Schmidt, Willem Wilmink, Hans Dorrestijn and others. Supported by Bannink's wife Jenny and daughter Monique, a long-cherished wish of the Holland Symfonia symphony orchestra came true: pay tribute to one of the greatest Dutch cabaret composers. In January 2008, Loes Luca, Nynke Laverman, Henny Vrienten and Frans van Deursen sang various songs from Bannink's oeuvre in the theater program In De Ban Van Bannink. Arranger Bob Zimmerman transformed Bannink's cabaret songs into 'Broadway-esque' gems. (SvdP)more