The Blues of Kattenburg

Forgotten music by Jewish composers

It is January 1940. Dick Kattenburg – just 21 years old, promising violinist and up-and-coming composer – is worried. He can express his feelings behind the piano. Dick plays the blues. There is sadness but also zest for life.

Many Dutch Jewish composers did not survive the war. Their music disappeared from view after the war. The Leo Smit Ensemble, led by Eleonore Pameijer, founder and artistic director of the Leo Smit Foundation, makes this music sound again.