Anita Lasker-Wallfisch Quotes
- Cellist
- Germany
- 1925
Anita Lasker-Wallfisch is a German-born British cellist and Holocaust survivor. She is best known for her work as a member of the Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz-Birkenau, which she joined in 1944. After the war, she moved to England and became a professional cellist, performing with the Englis…Read More
Anita Lasker-Wallfisch is a German-born British cellist and Holocaust survivor. She is best known for her work as a member of the Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz-Birkenau, which she joined in 1944. After the war, she moved to England and became a professional cellist, performing with the English Chamber Orchestra and the London Symphony Orchestra. She has also been a professor of cello at the Royal Academy of Music and has written a memoir, Inherit the Truth, about her experiences in the Holocaust.Read Less
Anita Lasker-Wallfisch is a German-born British cellist and Holocaust survivor. She is best known for her work as a member of the Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz-Birkenau, which she joined in 1944. After the war, she moved to England and became a professional cellist, performing with the English Chamber Orchestra and the London Symphony Orchestra. She has also been a professor of cello at the Royal Academy of Music and has written a memoir, Inherit the Truth, about her experiences in the Holocaust.
Anita Lasker-Wallfisch Career Highlights
Anita Lasker-Wallfisch is a renowned cellist and Holocaust survivor. She was born on July 17, 1925, in Breslau, Germany (now Wrocław, Poland). Lasker-Wallfisch began playing the cello at a young age and went on to study at the Berlin Hochschule für Musik. However, her promising musical career was cut short when she and her family were sent to the Auschwitz concentration camp in 1943.
Key Contributions by Anita Lasker-Wallfisch
Despite the horrific conditions in Auschwitz, Lasker-Wallfisch continued to play the cello in the camp’s orchestra, which was used to entertain the Nazi officers. She also played in the women’s orchestra in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. Her musical talent not only provided a source of hope and comfort for her fellow prisoners, but it also saved her life. The Nazis recognized her talent and spared her from the gas chambers.
What Sets Anita Lasker-Wallfisch Apart
After the war, Lasker-Wallfisch moved to London and continued her career as a cellist. She became a founding member of the English Chamber Orchestra and played with the London Symphony Orchestra. In 1983, she co-founded the English Chamber Orchestra’s Holocaust Memorial Concerts, which have since become an annual event. Lasker-Wallfisch also became a prominent speaker on the Holocaust, sharing her experiences and educating others about the atrocities of the Nazi regime.
Takeaways
Anita Lasker-Wallfisch’s incredible talent and resilience in the face of unimaginable horrors make her a truly remarkable individual. Her contributions to the world of music and her dedication to educating others about the Holocaust serve as a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit. Lasker-Wallfisch’s story is a testament to the importance of remembering and learning from the past to create a better future.