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Donald Macleod explores a group of composers who were silenced by the atrocities of the Second World War and shaped the unique musical story of Terezin. Today 鈥 Viktor Ullmann.

Composer of the Week marks 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz with a series commemorating some of the musical voices that were silenced by the atrocities of the Second World War. Across the week, Donald Macleod focuses on the penultimate destination of these musicians, the concentration camp at Terezin, and the incredible story of creative resistance in the face of unthinkable adversity and persecution which unfolded there.

Today, we meet Viktor Ullmann, who grew up in the Viennese milieu of Mahler and Schoenberg, and was said to have been 鈥渨alking in their tracks鈥. Alongside an acclaimed composing career, he worked for spells as a bookshop owner and music critic. Once at Terezin, he ran the New Music Society and 鈥 although he didn鈥檛 know it at the time 鈥 he risked his life for one of the most powerful and overt musical allegories to come out of the camp 鈥 his opera The Emperor of Atlantis.

Sha shtil
Counterpoint
Robert de Cormier, conductor

Piano Sonata No 7 (i. Allegro)
Jeanne Golan, piano

6 Lieder, Op 17 (1. Am Himmelfahrt; 5. Wie ist die Nacht)
Christine Schafer, soprano
Axel Bauni, piano

Piano Concerto, Op 25 (i. Allegro con fuoco; ii. Andante tranquillo)
Annika Treutler, piano
Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra
Stephan Frucht, conductor

String Quartet No 3, Op 46
Dover Quartet

Der Kaiser von Atlantis (final movements
Adrian Er枚d, baritone
Juliana Zara, soprano
Christel Loetzsch, mezzo-soprano
Johannes Chum, tenor
Lars Woldt, bass
Munich Radio Orchestra
Patrick Hahn, conductor

Produced by Amelia Parker for 大象传媒 Audio Wales and West

19 days left to listen

59 minutes

Last on

Tue 28 Jan 2025 16:00

Music Played

  • Viktor Ullmann

    Scha Schtil

    Ensemble: Counterpoint Ensemble. Conductor: Robert De Cormier.
    • ALBANY : TROY-676.
    • ALBANY.
    • 8.
  • Viktor Ullmann

    Piano Sonata No 7 (1st mvt, Allegro)

    Performer: Jeanne Golan.
    • STEINWAY AND SONS : STNS30014.
    • STEINWAY AND SONS.
    • 10.
  • Viktor Ullmann

    6 Songs, Op 17 (No 1, Am Himmelfahrt & No 5, Wie ist die Nacht)

    Performer: Axel Bauni. Singer: Christine Sch盲fer.
    • ORFEO : C-380952H.
    • ORFEO.
    • 6.
  • Viktor Ullmann

    Piano Concerto, Op 25 (1st & 2nd mvts)

    Performer: Annika Treutler. Orchestra: Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin. Conductor: Stephan Frucht.
    • BERLIN CLASSICS : 885470015255.
    • BERLIN CLASSICS.
    • 1.
  • Viktor Ullmann

    String Quartet No 3

    Ensemble: Dover String Quartet.
    • CEDILLE : CDR-90000173.
    • CEDILLE.
    • 1.
  • Viktor Ullmann

    Der Kaiser Von Atlantis (excerpt)

    Singer: Adrian Er枚d. Singer: Juliana Zara. Singer: Christel Loetsch. Singer: Johannes Chum. Singer: Lars Woldt. Orchestra: Munich Radio Orchestra. Conductor: Patrick Hahn.
    • BR KLASSIK : 900339.
    • BR KLASSIK.
    • 27.

Broadcast

  • Tue 28 Jan 2025 16:00

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