Bosmans begins to compose again and strikes up a relationship with Benjamin Britten.
Henriëtte Bosmans seemed destined for a life in music from the moment of her birth, in 1895. Her father was the principal solo cellist in the Amsterdam Concertgebouw Orchestra and her mother a piano teacher at the Amsterdam Conservatory. Bosmans developed a flourishing career and won international success with her Concert Piece for Violin and Orchestra. As a concert pianist she performed alongside conductors such as Ernest Ansermet and George Szell.
Bosmans didn’t follow her mother's Jewish faith. Nevertheless, her ancestry played a significant role in the events of her life. She lived through the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, when tens of thousands of Amsterdam Jews were deported to concentration camps, including her fellow citizen, Anne Frank. This week, Donald Macleod is joined by Bosmans expert Dr Helen Metzelaar and also Dr Laurien Vastenhout from Amsterdam’s Institute for War, Holocaust and Genocide.
Once the Second World War had ended, Henriëtte Bosmans and her mother, Sara, emerged exhausted and malnourished but alive. Bosmans soon started to compose again, and found particular inspiration in writing for the voice. In 1946 she witnessed young British composer, Benjamin Britten, perform with Peter Pears and was immediately struck by their artistry. Bosmans began corresponding with Britten and championing his music. She adopted a rather motherly role towards him, sending him presents of chocolate and eggs.
Danse Orientale (from Two Recital Pieces), UK première
Ionel Manciu, violin
Dominic Degavino, piano
Trois Impressions for cello and piano
Doris Hochscheid, cello
Frans van Ruth, piano
Dit eiland
Julia Bronkhorst, soprano
Maarten Hillenius, piano
Complainte du petit cheval blanc
Julia Bronkhorst, soprano
Maarten Hillenius, piano
Aurore
Julia Bronkhorst, soprano
Maarten Hillenius, piano
Concertstuck for violin and orchestra
Vera Beths, violin
Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra
Lucas Vis, conductor
Produced by Luke Whitlock, for BBC Wales Show less