Jef Maes

Jef "Joseph" Maes (5 April 1905 in Antwerp – 30 June 1996 in Antwerp) was a Belgian composer and violist. Encouraged by his friend, André Cluytens, he completed his study at the Flemish conservatory in Antwerp. He studied viola with Napoleon Distelmans; chamber music with Albert van de Vijver; and counterpoint and fugue with Karel Candael. When he was 23 years old, he composed his first work, which was a romantic Meditation for violin and piano.