
Orchestras of Auschwitz
The main production is a current work-in-progress
The Orchestras of Auschwitz is a project which memorialises Jews and musicians imprisoned in Auschwitz-Birkenau who were forced to play each day as slave labour commandos set off to and returned from their work. The project is in memory of the Holocaust Historian Sir Martin Gilbert.
Blackbird
As part of this project, Leo Geyer composed Blackbird to open the Sir Martin Gilbert Learning Centre which was attended by Holocaust survivors including Anita Lasker-Wallfisch, a member of the women's orchestra in Auschwitz.
Duration
10mins
Premiere Production
4th July 2016, Sadler's Wells, London
12th Sept 2017, St Martin Gilbert Learning Centre, London
Composer / Writer
Leo Geyer
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Premiere Performers
Baritone Simon Wallfisch
Clarinet Sacha Rattle
Violin Clarice Rarity
Cello Michael Newman