Diplomatic Events

 

The exhibition is dedicated to Alma and Arnold Rose, two icons of Austrian musical life and Viennese high society. In 1938, both Arnold and his daughter Alma's careers, like those of many others, were abruptly cut short by the "Anschluss". More than 66 000 Jewish Austrians did not survive the Shoah. Alma Rose (1906 - 1944) was one of them. As the conductor of the women's orchestra in Auschwitz - Birkenau she was able to save the lives of female Jewish musicians. Her father, Arnold Rose died in exile in London in 1946. For many years, the two musicians were forgotten in Austria. Their famous violins are still played in the major opera houses and concert halls of the world. 

 

The evening's ceremony started with remarks by Prof. Michael Klinghoffer, President of the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance stating that it was an honour to host the event which he expected to be on the 7th of January, the date commemorating Auscwitz's liberation. Three principles of music are to express feelings and emotions, to create dialogue in extreme circumstances and the healing power of music not only physically but emotionally. He concluded that we pray for peace and the safe return of hostages in captivity.

 

H.E. Mr. Nikolaus Lutterotti, Ambassador of Austria to the State of Israel said that this week is the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Auschwitz is the most symbolic of the Nazi killing machine where over 1 000 000 people were killed. For us, as Austrians we have to remember and acknowledge our crimes. For a long time Austria demurred from its crimes relating to the Holocaust but we have to take a stance and remain resolute against anti- Semitism and anti-Zionism. The disappearance of Jews from Austria created an enormous cultural and scientific loss to the country. Today bi - lateral relations between Austria and Israel have never been better.

 

Prof Zvi Semel, Dean of the Faculty of Performance Arts and Composition at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, said that the evening's programme will begin with songs and an aria written in Ghetto Theresienstadt. While music was performed in all ghettos and concentration camps during the Holocaust, Ghetto Theresienstadt was unique for its exclusive cultural activities - orchestras, choirs, theatres, cabarets, concerts, opera productions, recitals, theatrical performances and art exhibitions as the Nazi's designated it to be a "model ghetto" to serve its propaganda machine. Cultural and musical activity was extensive and of the highest level as leading Jewish artists from all over Europe were deported to the Ghetto. All composers whose works we are going to hear were murdered by the Nazis.          

 

A duo, Liron Givoni, a soprano and Assaf Kedem on piano performed compositions by Theresienstadt composers Ullmann, Kien, Pavel Haas, Celakovsky and Ricarda Huch.

 

Thereafter a video recording on screen was shown. Dr. Monika Sommer, Director of the House of Austrian History said one month after the Anschluss,  Arnold Rose was forced to retire as concertmaster of the Vienna Philharmonic and soon left Austria thereafter. His daughter, Alma Rose was the leader of the Women's Orchestra at Auschwitz Birkenau. Dr. Michaela Raggan - Blesch, Senior Research Fellow at the University of Viennaspoke about Alma Rose life in Auschwitz and how she saved many Jewish lives by accepting musicians in the orchestra. 

 

The first movement of Quintet no.2 op. 77 by Czech composer Antonin Dvorak was performed by students of the Jerusalem Music Academy and Dance Chamber Ensemble followed by another composition arranged by the late Prof. Menachem Wiesenberg, entitled "Shir Eretz". The students played expressively evoking feelings of melancholic nostalgia.

 

Diplomacy.co.il expresses its heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in having arranged a memorable evening of music in memory of all people who were victims during the Holocaust.