Leo Kok
1893 - 1992
For a full biography and a complete list of works with links to scores and recordings, visit www.forbiddenmusicregained.org
Gideon Boss Musikproduktion released a CD Leo Kok - Lieder und Kammermusik in 2012. This beautiful box contains a booklet with illustrations and Leo Kok’s biography.
The term ‘homo universalis’ or Renaissance Man originated as a description of individuals, that helped humanity escape the dark ages by virtue of their open minds and tenacious pursuit of new knowledge. Leo Kok was such a polymath in his own lifetime, the twentieth century; a gifted football player, a pianist of the highest level, a vocal coach, a composer. He also had a great interest in literature and politics. As an anti-fascist activist he joined the resistance movement during World War II. He survived the tortures of Buchenwald but his piano career was ruined. After the war, he turned his passion to literature and books.
Leo Kok was born in Amsterdam on November 24, 1893. His Portuguese-Jewish mother died during childbirth; his father died when he was eight years old. Perhaps these early losses and premature independence played a role in his many activities as a youngster. He graduated from the Rotterdam Maritime Academy and studied piano at the Conservatory in The Hague. Willem Pijper taught him composition; Leo admired … Continue
Selected works
Plainte 1916 violin and piano
Sept mélodies retrouvées 1916-18 voice and piano
Trois danses exotiques 1925 piano
Enfance 1927 piano
Chanson pour les enfants qui n'ont pas de Noël 1927 violin and piano
Fahrendes Volk 1955 music to accompany puppet theatre
For a complete list of works by Leo Kok visit our website Forbidden Music Regained.
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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