Lou Koster (1889-1973) was one of the first composers in the history of music in Luxembourg, and had to contend with prejudices much more than some of her colleagues in the more cosmopolitan European cities. Like many other artists, she was torn between local art and a cosmopolitan mixed culture.

With her operettas, male choirs, and other compositions in Luxembourgish, she was rooted in the regional music tradition. But with her German and French songs, and her orchestral drums, she sought t...