A British Connection
Donald Macleod looks at the relationship between Henri毛tte Bosmans and Benjamin Britten.
Bosmans begins to compose again and strikes up a relationship with Benjamin Britten.
Henri毛tte 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鈥檛 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鈥檚 Institute for War, Holocaust and Genocide.
Once the Second World War had ended, Henri毛tte 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 premi猫re
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 大象传媒 Wales
Last on
Music Played
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Henri毛tte Bosmans
Danse Orientale (from Two Recital Pieces), UK premiere
Performer: Ionel Manciu. Performer: Dominic Dagavino. -
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Henri毛tte Bosmans
Trois Impressions for cello and piano
Performer: Doris Hochscheid. Performer: Frans van Ruth.- AUDIOMAX : 903 170 3.
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Henri毛tte Bosmans
Dit eiland
Performer: Maarten Hillenius. Singer: Julia Bronkhorst.- GLOBE : GLO 5183.
- GLOBE.
- 10.
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Henri毛tte Bosmans
10 Melodies (No 4, 'Complainte du petit cheval blanc')
Performer: Maarten Hillenius. Singer: Julia Bronkhorst.- GLOBE : GLO 5183.
- GLOBE.
- 4.
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Henri毛tte Bosmans
Aurore
Performer: Maarten Hillenius. Singer: Julia Bronkhorst.- GLOBE : GLO 5183.
- GLOBE.
- 1.
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Henri毛tte Bosmans
Concertstuk for violin and orchestra
Performer: Vera Beths. Orchestra: Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Lucas Vis.- BABEL : 8315-5.
- BABEL.
Broadcasts
- Thu 10 Mar 2022 12:00大象传媒 Radio 3
- Thu 17 Aug 2023 12:00大象传媒 Radio 3
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