Best of the Spectator

The Book Club: The Women's Orchestra of Auschwitz

Apr 30, 2025
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INSIGHT

Music as Survival, Not Beauty

  • The Auschwitz women's orchestra was not about beautiful music but survival through playing basic military tunes.
  • Music provided a transformative focus and hope, even if the music itself was "ghastly" and simple.
ANECDOTE

Personal Link Sparks Research

  • Anne Sebba began researching the orchestra when tracing her father's role at Belsen post-liberation.
  • She connected her father's arrival with the orchestra's presence and realized this story was much bigger than expected.
INSIGHT

Orchestra's Dark Camp Role

  • The orchestra was formed partly to create an illusion of a militarized camp and to keep prisoners marching in step for roll calls.
  • Playing the orchestra was often hated by other prisoners who saw the players as privileged survivors.
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