The Auschwitz-Birkenau Women’s Orchestra

By Richard Brewer 

I have talked on previous blogs about the power of music in evoking memories and emotions. Specifically, I mentioned the concerts Southern Sinfonia performed last year which were dedicated to those who lost their lives in World War One. This time I am thinking about World War Two.

Last week marked the 70^th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. Out of all the horror that occurred during the war at this camp, and many others, there is one small piece of salvation that stands out to me as a musician. Recently, Stephen Fry was filmed in conversation with a lady named Anita Lasker-Wallfisch. Mrs Lasker-Wallfisch was one of the lucky few that managed to survive her time in the hell that was Auschwitz.

Lasker-Wallfisch puts her survival down to her ability to play the cello. In a number of camps across Europe, it was fashionable for the Nazis to form orchestras or bands with prisoners who were musicians; it was even sometimes seen as a status symbol for a camp leader to have a high quality orchestra. Auschwitz-Birkenau was no different and in 1943, a women’s orchestra was founded. For the majority of those who could play instruments, this was a lifeline. Lasker-Wallfisch describes her time:

“I was extremely lucky, it was all a matter of luck you see…people often ask how can you possibly survive that, I was one of the very few people to survive a year in Auschwitz, nobody survives a year in Auschwitz, because of music.”

I find her use of the word ‘lucky’ extremely interesting; say, perhaps, she hadn’t learned the cello at an early age before being sent to Auschwitz, it is almost certain that she would not have survived. For some, it would have been a chance to perhaps try and forget the situation they were in, a chance to express some emotions they were previously not able to do. For others, however, as Mrs Lasker-Wallfisch points out, it was offensive. She explains that some of the fellow Jews found it quite intrusive and didn’t like it (incidentally, she says this may have been due to the fact that only around 5 musicians from the orchestra could actually play their instrument well!)

The type of music performed and the situations they played in brings validity to those who weren't fans of the orchestras. The Nazi regime didn't exactly make it a pleasurable experience for the musicians, ensuring they practiced almost constantly in what were no doubt horrible conditions. They would also be asked to perform for prisoners arriving on trains, as they were led straight into gas chambers. It has been said that a regular song Nazis requested the orchestras and bands to play on repeat was “J'attendrai ton retour”, literally meaning “I will wait for your return”; a quite ironic song to those already akin to the events taking place. Additionally, they would play pompous, patriotic German marches; it is impossible to imagine how degrading and torturous it must have been for the prisoners to play such material.

I find Mrs Lasker-Wallfisch’s story extraordinary. To think that music and her ability to play the cello ensured her safety in a Nazi war camp is quite astounding. Despite the differences in their beliefs, and the way the Nazis treated the prisoners, one thing actually is quite clear; music is a universal language, one that all of us can understand and portray. Music is a savior for so many people in so many differing situations, but this one really stands out; music saved lives.

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