Introduction of the Nederlandse Kultuurkamer
In 1942, the German occupation introduced an institution called the Nederlandse Kultuurkamer. Singing associations like the Netherlands Bach Society had to join it in order to continue their activities legally. The Netherlands Bach Society was forced to join the Kultuurkamer in 1942 and had to turn away its Jewish choir members.
As a result, the soprano Jo Vincent refused to take part in the concerts of the Netherlands Bach Society, and Ankie van Wickevoort Crommelin was asked to stand in at the last moment. Personally, Van Wickevoort Crommelin also had great difficulty in performing the St Matthew Passion under the flag of the Kultuurkamer, but in the end she believed that Bach’s music must continue to be heard in those difficult war years.
Newspaper article in which the president of the Kultuurkamer called on all singing associations to join the institution.