Charles Hens

Charles Hens was born on 3 November 1898 in Saint-Gilles (Belgium). He received his first music lessons at the local music school and enrolled at the Brussels conservatory in 1917. He studied under Raymond Moulaert, Leon Du Bois, Joseph Jongen, Auguste De Boeck and Alphonse Desmet (organ). Charles Hens later completed his organ studies under Marcel Dupre.
After his studies Charles Hens started a career as an organist and organ teacher. He toured through Europe and gave concerts and recitals on the organ. On the other hand he was the prinicipal organist at the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula in Brussels between 1929 and 1955.
As a pedagogue he first was a tutor in harmony at the Brussels conservatory in 1926. In 1935 Charles Hens became professor for organ at the Liege conservatory, a position he fulfilled until 1951. Then he switched to the Brussels conservatory again, where he first taught harmony. In 1954 Charles Hens succeeded Paul de Maleingreau as the professor for organ. He hold this position until 1964.
In addition to his performing and teaching activities Charles Hens also composed music. Among his compositions are an organ concerto, orchestral music, chamber music, songs, sacred music, piano and organ works.
Charles Hens died on 5 February 1968 in Uccle (Belgium).

In my possession is the autograph manuscript of the composition "Resignation" for voice and piano by Charles Hens. The song uses words by Pere Henusse and is dedicated to Helene Pax-Piette. Unfortunately the manuscript is undated, so I have no information when this work was composed.