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. 

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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. 

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Duration 

10mins 

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Premiere Production 

4th July 2016, Sadler's Wells, London 

12th Sept 2017, St Martin Gilbert Learning Centre, London

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Composer / Writer 

Leo Geyer ​​

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Premiere Performers ​

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Baritone Simon Wallfisch

Clarinet Sacha Rattle 

Violin Clarice Rarity

Cello Michael Newman