Francis Koene

Publicity photo by Jacob Merkelbach circa 1922

Francis Dirk Jacobus Koene (Weltevreden, Java, Batavia, Dutch East Indies, 11 March 1899 – Amsterdam, 29 January 1935) was a Dutch classical music violinist. He and his two siblings were child prodigies who performed in Java as a trio. Their father was Dutch and their mother Javanese. In 1921 he became the second concertmaster of the Utrecht Symphony Orchestra, and from 1926 to 1932 was the first concertmaster of the Dresden Opera Orchestra.[1] He was engaged to the composer and concert pianist Henriëtte Bosmans, but unfortunately died of a brain tumor before they could be married.[2]

References

  1. ^ Francis Koene, violin; Maurice van IJzer, piano (December 13, 1928). "Koene, Francis (violin) - Columbia (1928)" – via Internet Archive.
  2. ^ "BBC Radio 3's Composer of the Week - Henriëtte Bosmans (7-11 March)". Colin's Column. March 6, 2022.