Simon Gokkes
1897 - 1943
For a full biography and a complete list of works with links to scores and recordings, visit www.forbiddenmusicregained.org
Various Psalms set by Simon Gokkes were recorded by the Nederlands Kamerkoor on CD.
Relatively little is known about the life of Simon Gokkes. Most of his compositions were lost during the war; in the preserved works his preference for Jewish and biblical themes is apparent. From a young age Gokkes worked as a choir and opera conductor. He rescued a number of operas from oblivion. He and his family were murdered in Auschwitz in 1943.
Simon Gokkes was born in Amsterdam on March 21, 1897. David Gokkes, his father, was a peddler from Blokzijl, a harbor town in the province Overijssel. His mother, Rachel Rimini, gave birth to three sons: Jacob, Joseph and Simon. Sim's musicality was noticed early on and he received singing lessons from opera singer Ben Geijsel, and also from Victor Schlesinger, cantor of the Rapenburger synagogue in Amsterdam. It isn't clear how … Continue
Selected works
Sonatine 1939 piano
Kinah 1928 solo voices, wind quintet and piano
Liederen 1926/1928 voice and piano
Shire Kodesh 1937 male choir
For a complete list of works by Sim Gokkes visit our websiteForbidden 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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