After studying with Hol, Lange and Herzgenberg, Wagenaar took a position as a teacher at the music school in Utrecht. He then became organist and director of the cathedral. He was appointed director of The Hague Conservatory in 1919 and remained there until 1937. He was highly respected as a composer, organist, teacher and choral conductor, and his teaching produced many fine musicians including Voormolen and Orthel. Influenced by Brahms, Berlioz and Strauss, Wagenaar successfully combined these styles into a new one of his own. His works tend to be light in character, often poking fun at the sentimentality of Romantic works. ~ Lynn Vought, All Music Guide