The Limelight Recording of the Month for November comes from British cellist Raphael Wallfisch, a tireless champion of musical rarities. Performed with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra under Ed Spanjaard, it’s a collection of three recently unearthed works for cello and orchestra by the Belgian composer Henriëtte Bosmans (1895-1952).

Born in Amsterdam, Bosmans’ father was first cellist of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and her mother a Jewish pianist. During the 1920s she forged a successful local career as a concert pianist, in addition composing the works recorded here.

Clive Paget caught up with Wallfisch to learn more about this remarkable composer and ask why it has taken a century to rediscover her marvellous music.

Henriëtte Bosmans will not be a familiar name to most listeners. How long have you known these pieces?

Not that long. I often play in Holland and colleagues of mine said, “Have you ever heard Bosman’s music?” I said no, and they said, “You know, there’s a wonderful cello sonata, you really should get to know it.”

Raphael Wallfisch

Raphael Wallfisch. Photo © Bill Knight

So, first I heard the Sonata and the Trois Impressions and I thought, “This is...