To commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day 2025, BBC Two will air 'The Last Musician of Auschwitz,' shining a spotlight on the extraordinary life of Anita Lasker-Wallfisch, the only surviving member of the women’s orchestra at Auschwitz. At 99 years old, Lasker-Wallfisch's story is not just one of survival but also of the power of music amid unimaginable horror.
Lasker-Wallfisch recalls her arrival at the notorious concentration camp, where fate intervened through music. She notes, "When I arrived at the camp, I was asked if I played any instruments. A chance mention of playing the cello saved my life." This pivotal moment allowed her to join one of the fourteen orchestras stationed within Auschwitz, where music became both her sanctuary and her prison.
The documentary reveals the haunting paradox of how music accompanied some of the darkest moments of the Holocaust. Lasker-Wallfisch poignantly remembers, "Music was played to the most terrible things," including the lullabies sung to small children as they entered the gas chambers, demonstrating the harrowing reality of the musicians’ roles. The irony is stark: playing Robert Schumann’s Kinderszenen for noted camp doctor Josef Mengele was not merely performing; it was survival under extreme duress.
This powerful narrative serves as both personal testimony and historical documentation, reflecting the resilience of the human spirit during the most horrific chapters of history. The documentary, airing on January 28, also ties back to larger commemorative events honoring the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and acknowledges other genocides, connecting past trauma to our contemporary world.
The documentary features contributions not just from Lasker-Wallfisch, but from other survivors and musicians who shared their experiences and roles within the orchestras. These were individuals, many of whom were bereft of their families, enduring unimaginable suffering, yet finding ways to express their humanity through music. Their stories serve as potent reminders of the complex interaction between art and atrocity.
Besides focusing on Lasker-Wallfisch, the program emphasizes the wider significance of remembering Holocaust survivors and their stories. Speaker Eva Umlauf, who was liberated from Auschwitz at two years old, brings another poignant perspective. She reflects, "The dehumanization of Jews by Germans meant they 'did not think we were people… They thought we were rats. And rats must be poisoned - exterminated.'" Such testimonies underline not only the past horrors but also today's challenges, hinting at the need to remain vigilant against hatred.
The BBC documentary will be part of broader narratives surrounding Holocaust remembrance events, highlighting the necessity of sharing these stories to prevent history from repeating itself. Lasker-Wallfisch’s survival is not merely about her life story; it is emblematic of the countless untold stories of resilience and bravery amid despair.
The significance of such documentary programming extends beyond mere remembrance. It provides educational insights, ensuring younger generations understand the atrocities of the past and fostering empathy. By articulately weaving together individual narratives and historical accounts, the documentary invites viewers to engage not only with the complexity of the Holocaust but also with the moral imperative to oppose genocide and discrimination today.
Accompanying Lasker-Wallfisch on her emotional recollection of the past, the documentary also features musicians and contemporary cultural figures who articulate the impact of history on present-day society. Their reflections serve to inspire discussions about art as resistance, the functions of memory, and the societal responsibilities of individuals today.
Despite the weight of the subject matter, Lasker-Wallfisch’s enduring legacy speaks volumes about hope. "Despite everything, I continued to play," she tells viewers with fierce determination. Music, for her and so many others, was not just survival—it was the fierce insistence on their humanity amid the screams of dehumanization.
With the Holocaust Memorial Day event underscoring the need for reflection and remembrance, 'The Last Musician of Auschwitz' is poised to strike the hearts of viewers, drawing them not only to the historical significance of Lasker-Wallfisch’s story but also to the universal truths about empathy, humanity, and the enduring power of art. This compelling documentary commemorates her legacy and reminds us all to hold sacred the memory of those who suffered unspeakably.