Forbidden Music Regained


Leo Smit Stichting
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Composers persecuted in WWII

During the Second World War, many composers were persecuted by the Nazi’s, because they either had a Jewish background or refused to comply with Nazi rules. Their music was banned from all public performance. The Leo Smit Foundation, founded in 1996, is committed to regain this music.

In more than 200 concerts, we’ve brought to life music that was lost and forgotten. With this website, we share with musicians, programmers and music lovers worldwide what we’ve found, starting with music from composers who lived and worked in the Netherlands.

Here you can search for composers, works for various instrumentations or vocal repertoire. Find scores, look at manuscripts and listen to sound samples.

featured composer

Bob Hanf

Bob Hanf (1894 - 1944)

In his early years, Bob Hanf received drawing lessons from the legendary George Breitner. While studying in Delft he became friends with writers Hendrik Marsman and Simon Vestdijk. Hanf studied violin with Louis Zimmerman and played under the baton of conductor Martin Spanjaard. He later turned to composing. His varied oeuvre of unpublished works was discovered just a few years ago, rescued from oblivion. by Eleonore Pameijer   more

new additions

  • March 13, 2024
    Daniël Belinfante

    Dubbel vioolconcert naar oude stijl

    Blaricum, September-October 1934. Includes piano reduction
  • Daniël Belinfante

    Tango from Suite de la Mort

    June 1934 For piano. Unfinished sketches for choir and orchestra
  • Kwartet
    Daniël Belinfante

    Kwartet

    Amsterdam early 1927 Quartet for piano, two violins and cello 1. Adagio 2. Allegro 3. Presto

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