On Friday, May 1, 2026, from 16:00 to 18:00, the Centrale Bibliotheek in The Hague (Spui 68) will host a presentation for the release of Carine Alders’ new book, “In een web van stilte” (“In a Web of Silence”). This event is part of the Open Jewish Houses program and is organized by the Hague Municipal Archive, the Netherlands Music Institute (NMI), Uitgeverij Balans, and Open Jewish Houses.
“In een web van stilte” explores the lives of approximately eighty composers in the Netherlands who were persecuted during World War II due to their Jewish heritage or opposition to fascism. These composers were removed from concert halls, banned from radio broadcasts, and omitted from newspapers, effectively erasing them from history. Before the war, many had international careers, composing progressive music, leading successful music schools, or creating scores for radio plays and films. Some had fled Germany in 1933, enriching Dutch musical life until the Nazi invasion silenced their work.
During the presentation, Philomeen Lelieveldt, curator at the NMI, will discuss unique archival materials that shed light on the Jewish musical life around The Hague’s Spui area. Carine Alders will share insights into two central figures from her book who were active in The Hague. Pianist Tobias Borsboom, director of the Leo Smit Foundation, will perform pieces by persecuted and forgotten composers from The Hague, offering attendees a rare opportunity to experience these works.
This event provides a platform to reflect on a significant yet often overlooked chapter in Dutch musical history. By revisiting the stories and compositions of these composers, the presentation aims to honor their contributions and ensure their legacies endure. Attendees are encouraged to mark their calendars for this insightful and commemorative gathering.
Composers in the crosshairs of our attention