We’re happy to highlight the recent release of Henriëtte Bosmans: Le Diable dans la nuit (Voix Étouffées – Missing Voices, Vol. 2), a poignant new album that brings to life the works of Dutch composer Henriëtte Bosmans, whose music was suppressed during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Released on June 6, 2025, by Editions Hortus, this recording aligns seamlessly with Donemus’ ongoing Forbidden Music Regained project, a collaboration with the Leo Smit Foundation dedicated to resurrecting the legacies of composers persecuted during World War II.
The album features an intimate selection of Bosmans’ songs and chamber works, including standout pieces like “Le Diable dans la nuit,” “Dit Eiland,” and “La chanson des marins hâlés.” Performed by soprano Elizaveta Agrafenina, pianist Dimitri Malignan, and violinist Sarah Bayens, the recording captures the emotional depth and resilience in Bosmans’ music, which reflects her experiences as a half-Jewish artist facing censorship and exclusion under the Nazi regime. Initiated by Malignan as part of the broader Missing Voices series, the project focuses on cultural restitution for Jewish musicians murdered or persecuted during the Holocaust.
banned from performance due to her heritage. Through Forbidden Music Regained, Donemus and the Leo Smit Foundation have worked since 1996 to digitize scores, organize concerts, and promote recordings of such composers, ensuring their voices are heard once more.
This release is a powerful reminder of the enduring impact of these composers and the importance of reclaiming their contributions to classical music.
Composers in the crosshairs of our attention