In a groundbreaking cultural event, a collection of musical scores, once lost in the harrowing history of Auschwitz, is set to be performed for the first time. Discovered at the infamous Nazi concentration camp, these fragments of history have been meticulously restored, bringing to life the poignant melodies composed under the most dire circumstances. The story of this remarkable discovery and restoration, led by composer and conductor Leo Geyer, highlights the enduring power of music amidst despair.
Leo Geyer, 31, a composer and conductor, encountered a treasure trove of musical history during a 2015 visit to Auschwitz. Initially there to compose a score in memory of Martin Gilbert, a renowned British historian and Holocaust expert, Geyer’s journey took an unexpected turn. In a recent interview with CNN, he recounted the moment he learned of the musical manuscripts from an archivist at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum. These remnants, arranged and played by orchestras within the camp, had remained virtually unnoticed for nearly 80 years.
The discovered scores, a collection of 210 pieces, were in various states of completion. Geyer described them as a “broken jigsaw puzzle,” with many pieces intermixed and damaged. Despite the challenges, Geyer, currently pursuing a doctorate in music and composition at Oxford University, was determined to breathe life into these fragmented melodies.
His extensive research revealed the existence of orchestras in concentration camps, including Auschwitz, where there were as many as six playing a mix of instruments, some atypical for traditional orchestras. Geyer emphasized the role of these orchestras, sometimes playing secretly for fellow prisoners, offering a glimpse of hope in a dark reality.
Anita Lasker-Wallfisch, a holocaust survivor and former cellist in the women’s orchestra of Birkenau, attested to the life-saving role of music in the camps. Her grandson, Simon Wallfisch, a baritone, will participate in the upcoming performance at London’s Sadler’s Wells Theater.
The “Orchestras of Auschwitz” concert will feature four restored pieces performed by Constella Music, Geyer’s ensemble. The music will be presented as it might have been played in Auschwitz, with accordions, saxophones, and the absence of woodwind instruments. Geyer hopes this event will not only honour the memory of those who suffered but also help raise awareness and funding for further restoration of the remaining pieces.
The upcoming performance of “Orchestras of Auschwitz” is more than a musical event; it is a poignant remembrance of resilience and creativity in the face of unimaginable adversity. Through Geyer’s dedication and the collaborative efforts of musicians, the lost melodies of Auschwitz will resonate once again, offering a sombre yet powerful tribute to those who found solace in music during one of history’s darkest chapters.
