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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

Fania Chapiro (1926 - 1994)

Fania Chapiro was born in 1926 in Indonesia (the former Dutch East Indies), on the island of Java, in a carefree musical environment. She had a Russian father, her mother was Dutch. Both parents cherished the exceptional musical talent of their only child, making many sacrifices to support this. Fania was half-Jewish and that would affect the course of her career. When she wrote in her diary in early 1935: “I have decided to become a composer and a wonderful pianist,” she … more

new additions

August 23, 2024

Ignace Lilien

Symphonie no. 4
1. Allegro ma non troppo-Maestoso 2. Andante (Molto tranquillo) 3. Scherzo 4. Finale (Fuga a 9 voci a 3 soggetti) + piano reduction (piano 4 hands)
May 1, 2024

Wilhelm Rettich

Sinfonische Variationen op. 54
Symphonic variations on a theme by A.Z. Idelsohn I (…) II Variation I III Variation II IV Variation III V Variation IV VI Variation V VII Variation VI VIII Variation VII IX Cadenza e Coda
March 20, 2024

Wilhelm Rettich

Sinfonia Giudaica op. 53 (Symphonie Nr. 3)
Judaic symphony (symphony 3) I Molto lento II Scherzo III Adagio mesto e sostenuto IV Finale

Vier Miniaturen voor Piano Vierhandig - Fania Chapiro

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February 1955

Support this site

Are you happy with the attention we pay to this almost forgotten music? Consider a donation to help us continue and expand this collection.

U.S.-based donors may support our activities in a tax-efficient way through a contribution to the Leo Smit Fund at the Netherland-America Foundation, Inc. Because the NAF is a public charity, within the meaning of Sections 501 (c)(3) and 509 (a)(1) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, donors may claim the tax benefits allowed by U.S. tax law for their contributions.

Please visit http://thenaf.org/leo-smit-foundation for more information.

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Forbidden Music Regained

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