Henriette Bosmans

Full biography Henriette Bosmans

Henriette Bosmans was a Dutch composer and pianist, born on December 6, 1895, and died on July 2, 1952. She was an accomplished musician who enjoyed a well-established reputation in the Netherlands before the war. However, as a woman composer, she found less recognition in her home country. Bosmans wrote a variety of music, including chamber music, concerti, and songs. She is known for her stunning Cello Sonata, which is considered one of the best pieces of cello music written by a woman.

Bosmans was raised in a musical family, and her mother was a concert pianist and teacher. She began studying the piano at a young age and later went on to study composition with famous Dutch composers such as Willem Pijper and Cornelis Dopper. Bosmans' music is noted for being emotional and intimate, often influenced by her personal experiences.

In addition to her solo work, Bosmans also collaborated closely with French mezzo-soprano, Césarine Hugueny. She wrote a series of songs for Hugueny, which demonstrated her skill in writing for the voice. Bosmans was also known for her friendship with Emmy Frensel Wegener, another composer and pianist. Although Wegener did not write much music herself, her friendship with Bosmans is considered to have inspired some of Bosmans' work.

Overall, Henriette Bosmans was a talented composer and pianist who contributed significantly to the Dutch classical music scene of the early 20th century.