Music and the Holocaust
@holocaustmusic.bsky.social
Reflecting the Music and the Holocaust website from World ORT. Posting music and history news, performances and remembrance events. Suggestions welcome.
Ernst Hermann Meyer was a German composer, musicologist and sociologist whose works includes more than 500 compositions. He was born #OTD in 1905. In 1933 he used his participation in a musicology conference in Cambridge, UK to escape the Nazis.
de.wikipedia.org/wik...
de.wikipedia.org/wik...
December 8, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Ernst Hermann Meyer was a German composer, musicologist and sociologist whose works includes more than 500 compositions. He was born #OTD in 1905. In 1933 he used his participation in a musicology conference in Cambridge, UK to escape the Nazis.
de.wikipedia.org/wik...
de.wikipedia.org/wik...
After the Nazi invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1939 and the signing of the Munich Agreement, composer Bohuslav Martinů tried to join the Czech Resistance in France but was not accepted because of his age (born #OTD in 1890).
holocaustmusic.ort.o...
holocaustmusic.ort.o...
December 8, 2025 at 6:30 PM
After the Nazi invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1939 and the signing of the Munich Agreement, composer Bohuslav Martinů tried to join the Czech Resistance in France but was not accepted because of his age (born #OTD in 1890).
holocaustmusic.ort.o...
holocaustmusic.ort.o...
The prolific Soviet composer Mieczysław Weinberg (born #OTD 1919) wrote 22 symphonies, 17 string quartets, 7 operas, 6 concertos, 3 ballets, 30 sonatas and more than 200 songs as well as 60 film scores and incidental music for theatre and circus.
holocaustmusic.ort.o...
holocaustmusic.ort.o...
December 8, 2025 at 5:49 PM
The prolific Soviet composer Mieczysław Weinberg (born #OTD 1919) wrote 22 symphonies, 17 string quartets, 7 operas, 6 concertos, 3 ballets, 30 sonatas and more than 200 songs as well as 60 film scores and incidental music for theatre and circus.
holocaustmusic.ort.o...
holocaustmusic.ort.o...
Viola player Maurits Snijders was born #OTD in 1888. He lived in Amsterdam as a professional session musician before he was deported to Westerbork and then to Theresienstadt. He died in Auschwitz on 3 Oct 1944. Image is police report of his arrest.
www.joodsmonument.nl...
www.joodsmonument.nl...
December 8, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Viola player Maurits Snijders was born #OTD in 1888. He lived in Amsterdam as a professional session musician before he was deported to Westerbork and then to Theresienstadt. He died in Auschwitz on 3 Oct 1944. Image is police report of his arrest.
www.joodsmonument.nl...
www.joodsmonument.nl...
During WWII, Charles Amberg's works were few, with only 20 hits produced until 1943. In 1944 he was imprisoned in Neuengamme where he wrote the “Song of the Old Railroad Worker,” which the actor Erwin Geschonneck sang at a camp Christmas party in 1944.
www.lexm.uni-hamburg...
www.lexm.uni-hamburg...
December 8, 2025 at 3:52 PM
During WWII, Charles Amberg's works were few, with only 20 hits produced until 1943. In 1944 he was imprisoned in Neuengamme where he wrote the “Song of the Old Railroad Worker,” which the actor Erwin Geschonneck sang at a camp Christmas party in 1944.
www.lexm.uni-hamburg...
www.lexm.uni-hamburg...
In Dachau, Jura Soyfer (born #OTD in 1912) recited his poem to Herbert Zipper who then set the poem to music. This became the well-known ‘Dachaulied’. Soyfer died in Buchenwald at the age of 26.
holocaustmusic.ort.o...
holocaustmusic.ort.o...
December 8, 2025 at 1:31 PM
In Dachau, Jura Soyfer (born #OTD in 1912) recited his poem to Herbert Zipper who then set the poem to music. This became the well-known ‘Dachaulied’. Soyfer died in Buchenwald at the age of 26.
holocaustmusic.ort.o...
holocaustmusic.ort.o...
Music teacher and pianist Mara Čepič was born in Zagreb #OTD in 1895. She studied to be a music teacher and pianist. As a resistance fighter, her flat was raided and she was taken to Ravensbruck in Aug 1941, She survived and returned home to teach music.
vecer.com/v-soboto/s...
vecer.com/v-soboto/s...
December 7, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Music teacher and pianist Mara Čepič was born in Zagreb #OTD in 1895. She studied to be a music teacher and pianist. As a resistance fighter, her flat was raided and she was taken to Ravensbruck in Aug 1941, She survived and returned home to teach music.
vecer.com/v-soboto/s...
vecer.com/v-soboto/s...
Composer Ernst Toch (born #OTD in 1887) went into exile in 1933 to Paris then London where he wrote film scores. In 1935 he accepted an invitation to New York however he could only make a living in California composing film scores for Hollywood.
de.wikipedia.org/wik...
de.wikipedia.org/wik...
December 7, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Composer Ernst Toch (born #OTD in 1887) went into exile in 1933 to Paris then London where he wrote film scores. In 1935 he accepted an invitation to New York however he could only make a living in California composing film scores for Hollywood.
de.wikipedia.org/wik...
de.wikipedia.org/wik...
Henriëtte Hilda Bosmans (born #OTD in 1895) was a Dutch composer. In 1941 Nazis forbade her to appear in public and her works were banned from the concert halls because she was half Jewish.
leosmitfoundation.or...
leosmitfoundation.or...
December 6, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Henriëtte Hilda Bosmans (born #OTD in 1895) was a Dutch composer. In 1941 Nazis forbade her to appear in public and her works were banned from the concert halls because she was half Jewish.
leosmitfoundation.or...
leosmitfoundation.or...
Gideon Klein was born #OTD in 1919. At age 6, Klein's precocious musicality was evident and he began to study piano with the head of the Přerov conservatory.
holocaustmusic.ort.o...
holocaustmusic.ort.o...
December 6, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Gideon Klein was born #OTD in 1919. At age 6, Klein's precocious musicality was evident and he began to study piano with the head of the Přerov conservatory.
holocaustmusic.ort.o...
holocaustmusic.ort.o...
Wladyslaw Szpilman was born #OTD in 1911. His musical career was interrupted by the German invasion of Poland on 1 September 1939. Szpilman and his family were driven, along with hundreds of thousands of other Jews, into the Warsaw ghetto.
holocaustmusic.ort.o...
holocaustmusic.ort.o...
December 5, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Wladyslaw Szpilman was born #OTD in 1911. His musical career was interrupted by the German invasion of Poland on 1 September 1939. Szpilman and his family were driven, along with hundreds of thousands of other Jews, into the Warsaw ghetto.
holocaustmusic.ort.o...
holocaustmusic.ort.o...
When Elja Haifetz (born #OTD in 1920) was 18 years-old, after learning cello and mandolin, he organized a Jewish mandolin orchestra in Riga. Elja escaped death several times in the ghetto and other camps though his family perished.
holocaustmusic.ort.o...
holocaustmusic.ort.o...
December 5, 2025 at 12:07 PM
When Elja Haifetz (born #OTD in 1920) was 18 years-old, after learning cello and mandolin, he organized a Jewish mandolin orchestra in Riga. Elja escaped death several times in the ghetto and other camps though his family perished.
holocaustmusic.ort.o...
holocaustmusic.ort.o...
Fritz Löhner-Beda died in Auschwitz #OTD in 1942. Over two years after his death, however, his music rang out in triumph when US soldiers liberated Buchenwald, and the surviving prisoners sang his ‘Buchenwaldlied' for the first time as free men.
holocaustmusic.ort.o...
holocaustmusic.ort.o...
December 4, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Fritz Löhner-Beda died in Auschwitz #OTD in 1942. Over two years after his death, however, his music rang out in triumph when US soldiers liberated Buchenwald, and the surviving prisoners sang his ‘Buchenwaldlied' for the first time as free men.
holocaustmusic.ort.o...
holocaustmusic.ort.o...
Anton Webern (born #OTD in 1883) was an Austrian composer and conductor. As one of the first students of Arnold Schönberg he belonged to the inner circle of the Viennese school. On Sep 15 1945 he was accidentally shot dead by a US soldier.
de.wikipedia.org/wik...
de.wikipedia.org/wik...
December 3, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Anton Webern (born #OTD in 1883) was an Austrian composer and conductor. As one of the first students of Arnold Schönberg he belonged to the inner circle of the Viennese school. On Sep 15 1945 he was accidentally shot dead by a US soldier.
de.wikipedia.org/wik...
de.wikipedia.org/wik...
Conductor and composer Heinrich Jalowetz was born #OTD in 1882. In 1933 he escaped to Reichenberg while his daughter Trude fled to the Netherlands. In 1938 he emigrated via Prague to the US where he became professor at Black Mountain College from 1939-46.
www.musiklexikon.ac....
www.musiklexikon.ac....
December 3, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Conductor and composer Heinrich Jalowetz was born #OTD in 1882. In 1933 he escaped to Reichenberg while his daughter Trude fled to the Netherlands. In 1938 he emigrated via Prague to the US where he became professor at Black Mountain College from 1939-46.
www.musiklexikon.ac....
www.musiklexikon.ac....
Nico Richter was born #OTD in 1915. His resistance was betrayed in April 1942 and was sent to Auschwitz then to Dachau. On liberation he was terminally ill but finished his Serenade for flute, violin and viola on his deathbed. He died in Aug 1945 aged 29.
leosmitfoundation.or...
leosmitfoundation.or...
December 2, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Nico Richter was born #OTD in 1915. His resistance was betrayed in April 1942 and was sent to Auschwitz then to Dachau. On liberation he was terminally ill but finished his Serenade for flute, violin and viola on his deathbed. He died in Aug 1945 aged 29.
leosmitfoundation.or...
leosmitfoundation.or...
Composer, arranger, author, pianist, singer, music publisher Burt Reisfeld was born #OTD 1906. Due to his Jewish lineage, emigrated from Berlin to Paris in 1933, then to the USA in 1938.
www.lexm.uni-hamburg...
www.lexm.uni-hamburg...
December 2, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Composer, arranger, author, pianist, singer, music publisher Burt Reisfeld was born #OTD 1906. Due to his Jewish lineage, emigrated from Berlin to Paris in 1933, then to the USA in 1938.
www.lexm.uni-hamburg...
www.lexm.uni-hamburg...
Composer Renia Perel (born #OTD in 1930) escaped Poland in Dec 1941 with her sister Henia after the Nazi invasion but were later captured in Germany.
www.jewishindependen...
www.jewishindependen...
December 2, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Composer Renia Perel (born #OTD in 1930) escaped Poland in Dec 1941 with her sister Henia after the Nazi invasion but were later captured in Germany.
www.jewishindependen...
www.jewishindependen...
Composer, violinist, conductor and choirmaster Israel Brandmann was born #OTD in 1901. After a long time was on the brink of existential need, he found himself forced to leave Austria for Palestine in August 1935.
www.lexm.uni-hamburg...
www.lexm.uni-hamburg...
December 1, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Composer, violinist, conductor and choirmaster Israel Brandmann was born #OTD in 1901. After a long time was on the brink of existential need, he found himself forced to leave Austria for Palestine in August 1935.
www.lexm.uni-hamburg...
www.lexm.uni-hamburg...
Hans Krása will perhaps best be remembered for his children's opera Brundibár, performed in Terezín 55 times.He was born in Prague on 30 November 1899.
holocaustmusic.ort.o...
holocaustmusic.ort.o...
November 30, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Hans Krása will perhaps best be remembered for his children's opera Brundibár, performed in Terezín 55 times.He was born in Prague on 30 November 1899.
holocaustmusic.ort.o...
holocaustmusic.ort.o...
Composer and pianist Siegfried Fall (born #OTD in 1877) came from a family of musicians. On 23 Jan 1943 he was deported to Theresienstadt, where he died shortly thereafter.
de.wikipedia.org/wik...
de.wikipedia.org/wik...
November 30, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Composer and pianist Siegfried Fall (born #OTD in 1877) came from a family of musicians. On 23 Jan 1943 he was deported to Theresienstadt, where he died shortly thereafter.
de.wikipedia.org/wik...
de.wikipedia.org/wik...
Pianist and cabaret owner Robert T Odeman (born #OTD in 1904) was imprisoned in Nov 1937 for over 2 years for his sexuality. Later he was interned in Sachsenhausen for friendships with Jews and escaped on a death march.
encyclopedia.ushmm.o...
encyclopedia.ushmm.o...
November 30, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Pianist and cabaret owner Robert T Odeman (born #OTD in 1904) was imprisoned in Nov 1937 for over 2 years for his sexuality. Later he was interned in Sachsenhausen for friendships with Jews and escaped on a death march.
encyclopedia.ushmm.o...
encyclopedia.ushmm.o...
Musician, conductor, composer, arranger, and music writer, Curt Prerauer (1901-1967) lost his position at the State Opera on June 30, 1933 and immediately left Germany for England eventually settling in Australia. He died aged 66 #OTD in 1967.
www.lexm.uni-hamburg...
www.lexm.uni-hamburg...
November 29, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Musician, conductor, composer, arranger, and music writer, Curt Prerauer (1901-1967) lost his position at the State Opera on June 30, 1933 and immediately left Germany for England eventually settling in Australia. He died aged 66 #OTD in 1967.
www.lexm.uni-hamburg...
www.lexm.uni-hamburg...
Singer (baritone), cantor, religious teacher and piano teacher Rudolf Loewy was shot dead with his wife Margarete in a fortress near Kaunas #OTD in 1941 after his efforts to get abroad with his wife and last remaining daughter failed.
www.lexm.uni-hamburg...
www.lexm.uni-hamburg...
November 29, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Singer (baritone), cantor, religious teacher and piano teacher Rudolf Loewy was shot dead with his wife Margarete in a fortress near Kaunas #OTD in 1941 after his efforts to get abroad with his wife and last remaining daughter failed.
www.lexm.uni-hamburg...
www.lexm.uni-hamburg...
In 1943, Austrian-born composer and conductor Erich Wolfgang Korngold (1897-1957) became a naturalised US citizen after the spread of Nazism in Austria forced the Jewish composer to settle in the US in 1938. He died #OTD in 1957.
http://holocaustmusi...
http://holocaustmusi...
November 29, 2025 at 2:51 PM
In 1943, Austrian-born composer and conductor Erich Wolfgang Korngold (1897-1957) became a naturalised US citizen after the spread of Nazism in Austria forced the Jewish composer to settle in the US in 1938. He died #OTD in 1957.
http://holocaustmusi...
http://holocaustmusi...