The Leo Smit Stichting was founded in January 1996, following an initiative by musicians Eleonore Pameijer and Frans van Ruth. In 1995, they performed in a concert organised by the Jewish Historical Museum in Amsterdam, featuring music by Dutch Jewish composers.
The concert was a great success, the quality of the music beyond doubt. But why had hardly anyone ever heard of this music? This question triggered further plans.
In the meantime, Eleonore Pameijer had developed a friendship with Leo Smit’s sister, still alive at that time. Her stories led to more questions and called for more research and investigations into what could be called a blind spot in Dutch music history. Together with the legal respresentative of the Coppenhagen-Smit family, Ben Mews, it was therefore decided to start the Leo Smit Stichting.
Let forbidden music sound again
In the Second World War, many composers were silenced because of their Jewish descent or their resistance. Their music was forbidden. The Leo Smit Stichting carries out research, tells composers' stories, makes sheet music available and performs forgotten music. Together with musicians, programmers, researchers and listeners we give composers their rightful place in music history.
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