Shelley Katz, a UK-based conductor, directed a professional soprano and what sounded like a full orchestra at Friends House, London. OLIVER BOWRING/MUSICARTA

Reawakening Suppressed Music is a three-year project dedicated to recording and sharing some of the silenced symphonic works written by Jewish composers who suffered under the Nazis, as well as bringing to the public awareness other banned musical treasures that otherwise will be lost forever.

A consortium made up of the Wiener Holocaust Library, Symphonova UK Ltd., The Leo Smit Foundation, and Donemus Publishing is embarking on this ambitious mission, fuelled by expert historical knowledge, unique resources, and passion.

The Library’s team will support the project with its extensive historical knowledge, unique resources, and research capabilities. The musical aspects of the project will be led by Symphonova. Using Symphonova’s innovative technologies will enable audiences to experience large orchestral scores in new ways and unusual contexts. 

The Leo Smit Foundation in Amsterdam, which champions the discovery and publication of works by persecuted composers during the second World War contributes invaluable knowledge and experience. Donemus Publishing in the Netherlands holds a remarkable collection of works by composers who suffered from the Holocaust, enriching the project with hidden gems.

Robert Kahn, the late romantic Jewish composer, fled to Britain from the Nazis at the age of 73. He is one of the persecuted composers whose music is being recorded as part of the project. 

The curation process prioritises compositions for large orchestras that have never been recorded or that the recordings are either of poor quality or not available to the public. As part of the project, recordings will be disseminated through a series of international events aimed at professionals and the general public. In these curated events, audiences will be able to experience orchestral performances while learning about the historical and cultural contexts of the music presented. 

Find out more via a recent article on the project in The Times: How music suppressed by the Nazis is being brought back to life or visit the project website.

This project is generously supported by Bader Philanthropies.


Listen to the project’s recordings via YouTube