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Orchestra of Exiles: The Story of Bronislaw Huberman, the Israel Philharmonic, and the One Thousand Jews He Saved from Nazi Horrors
At fourteen, Bronislaw Huberman played the Brahms Violin Concerto in Vienna, winning high praise from the composer himself. Instantly famous, Huberman began touring all over the world and received invitations to play for royalty across Europe. But after witnessing the tragedy of World War I, he committed his phenomenal talent and celebrity to aid humanity. After studying at the Sorbonne in Paris, Huberman joined the ranks of Sigmund Freud and Albert Einstein in calling for peace through the Pan European Movement. But when hope for their noble vision was destroyed by the rise of Nazism, Huberman began a crusade that would become his greatest legacy - the creation, in 1936, of the Palestine Symphony, which twelve years later became the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. In creating this world-level orchestra, Huberman miraculously arranged for the very best Jewish musicians and their families to emigrate from Nazi-threatened territories. His tireless campaigning for the project ultimately saved nearly a thousand Jews from the approaching Holocaust.
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First published April 5, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
April 28, 2016
this book is one of the best books i read this year illuminating the power of one jewish musician trying to save his people from certain death by bringing them home
May 19, 2016
Let me begin by saying what Bronislaw Huberman accomplished is nothing short of amazing, and the story of how it was done is fascinating. The writing of this book leaves a lot to be desired. Every moment seems to scratch at the surface of whatever is going on. This may stem from the fact that the vast majority of the authors' references are websites rather than primary material. The whole book seems rather piecemeal.
The biggest problem I have is the dialogue. We all understand that history is largely recorded as events, not word for word conversation. We get that dialogue gets created to tell the story. But seariously, if you're going to put words into someone's mouth, make it interesting. Most of the conversations were so paired down that you wonder if it the story was helped or hurt by the interaction. It's the same treatment writers use when adding dialogue to Bible scenes; always to much or to little, and it never comes across as two real people talking to each other.
You should read about Huberman, and his orchestra. You just need to find a different book than this one.
The biggest problem I have is the dialogue. We all understand that history is largely recorded as events, not word for word conversation. We get that dialogue gets created to tell the story. But seariously, if you're going to put words into someone's mouth, make it interesting. Most of the conversations were so paired down that you wonder if it the story was helped or hurt by the interaction. It's the same treatment writers use when adding dialogue to Bible scenes; always to much or to little, and it never comes across as two real people talking to each other.
You should read about Huberman, and his orchestra. You just need to find a different book than this one.
January 27, 2017
I love the cover of this book---very dramatic with its string of barbed wire and Bronislaw Huberman playing his violin. I probably would have picked it up even if one of its authors, Josh Aronson, hadn’t had a book signing at the St. Louis Public Library. His presentation was wonderful.
I had never heard of Huberman until that night in January 2017. Aronson’s description of the great violinist birth reverberated in my soul. It seems that the elder Mr. Huberman had always dreamed of being a violinist. When his dream was thwarted, he decided that one of his sons would play. Immediately after Bronislaw’s death, his father looked at his hands and declared him a violinist.
Beginning when the lad was five or six years old, his childhood ended. His father demanded that he practice four to five hours a day. Luckily from him, Bronislaw was a prodigy. Be the time he was 14, he was playing concert stages around the world to great applause. He was making the money that his father demanded.
Bronislaw was a quirky, sickly little dude, but that didn’t stop his father from pushing him, and pushing him, and pushing him. Abuse takes many forms, and Bronislaw endured the verbal attacks of his father. But this is more than just a tale of child. It’s the story of how being that driven created its own dreams.
I think Bronislaw was a tad psychic. He felt that the Great War would happen and was sure that another one would occur. As he watched Adolph Hitler ascend in Germany, he keenly felt the upcoming horrors Hitler would impose on the Jews. Interestingly, Bronislaw considered himself first a violinists, second a Pole, and third a Jew.
As he watched Hitler deconstruct Germany’s culture. He vowed to create an orchestra in Palestine, a place where Jews were fleeing to at such an alarming rate that the world should have noticed that something evil was occurring in Germany.
Bronislaw worked tirelessly to get money, certificates, a rehearsal hall, and the musicians Hitler had fired get out of Germany. He pushed himself on world tours, speeches; he would do whatever it took to get someone to listen. He pushed himself to the brink of a breakdown several times before December 26, 1936, when the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra played its first concert in Tel Aviv, conducted by Maestro Arturo Toscanini.
One thing I didn't understand was how the number 1,000 wsa chosen. On opening night of the IPO, there were 71 musicians who had abandoned Nazi Germany. Not sure how the authors arrived at that figure, but Orchestra of Exiles: The Story of Bronislaw Huberman. The Israel Philharmonic, and the One Thousand Jews He Saved from Nazi Horrors is fascinating look at a story that had been largely forgotten, but shouldn’t be. This work receives 5 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.
I had never heard of Huberman until that night in January 2017. Aronson’s description of the great violinist birth reverberated in my soul. It seems that the elder Mr. Huberman had always dreamed of being a violinist. When his dream was thwarted, he decided that one of his sons would play. Immediately after Bronislaw’s death, his father looked at his hands and declared him a violinist.
Beginning when the lad was five or six years old, his childhood ended. His father demanded that he practice four to five hours a day. Luckily from him, Bronislaw was a prodigy. Be the time he was 14, he was playing concert stages around the world to great applause. He was making the money that his father demanded.
Bronislaw was a quirky, sickly little dude, but that didn’t stop his father from pushing him, and pushing him, and pushing him. Abuse takes many forms, and Bronislaw endured the verbal attacks of his father. But this is more than just a tale of child. It’s the story of how being that driven created its own dreams.
I think Bronislaw was a tad psychic. He felt that the Great War would happen and was sure that another one would occur. As he watched Adolph Hitler ascend in Germany, he keenly felt the upcoming horrors Hitler would impose on the Jews. Interestingly, Bronislaw considered himself first a violinists, second a Pole, and third a Jew.
As he watched Hitler deconstruct Germany’s culture. He vowed to create an orchestra in Palestine, a place where Jews were fleeing to at such an alarming rate that the world should have noticed that something evil was occurring in Germany.
Bronislaw worked tirelessly to get money, certificates, a rehearsal hall, and the musicians Hitler had fired get out of Germany. He pushed himself on world tours, speeches; he would do whatever it took to get someone to listen. He pushed himself to the brink of a breakdown several times before December 26, 1936, when the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra played its first concert in Tel Aviv, conducted by Maestro Arturo Toscanini.
One thing I didn't understand was how the number 1,000 wsa chosen. On opening night of the IPO, there were 71 musicians who had abandoned Nazi Germany. Not sure how the authors arrived at that figure, but Orchestra of Exiles: The Story of Bronislaw Huberman. The Israel Philharmonic, and the One Thousand Jews He Saved from Nazi Horrors is fascinating look at a story that had been largely forgotten, but shouldn’t be. This work receives 5 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.
November 23, 2016
An amazing book! Its the story of Bronislaw Huberman, a violinist and child prodigy who saved over a thousand Jewish musicians from perishing in the holocaust by getting them out of Germany and Europe to Israel to start the then called Palestine Philharmonic Orchestra which later became the IPO.
His story begins in Poland, where he was born to poor Jewish peasants. Once the child exhibited musical talent, his father drove him to become an acclaimed prodigy. The book follows Broni's career as he achieved great success in the world of music including the bestowal of a Stradivarius violin by the emperor as well as his love affairs and the painful history of Europe during the First World War and its aftermath. As anger in distress mounted in Germany, Broni began to realize the potential application of his talent, wealth, and contacts to try to relieve some of the suffering that surrounded him
Huberman, hearing that over 8,000 Jewish musicians have been fired from their jobs, is deeply disturbed. He takes a trip to British Mandate Palestine and is impressed by the rigor and love of music he finds in the settlements. Deeply moved, he lights upon the idea of creating a world-class orchestra of Jewish musicians in the Holy Land. He begins to audition players, raises money, reconstructs a concert hall, and secures permission for his group to enter Palestine.
Though a large number of gifted Jewish musicians refused to leave Germany with their families to go to Palestine certain that the terrifying anti-Semitism of the Nazis would soon blow over, Huberman did eventually triumph with a grand opening concert conducted by the great Toscanini of what would become the Israel Philharmonic, one of the greatest ensembles of the world.
I began this book knowing nothing of Bronislaw Huberman. I ended this book wanting more. More about his life, and the thousands of lives he saved. Orchestra of Exiles is the history of many well known and many unknown Jewish musicians. All of whom have Bronislaw Huberman to thank for their lives and those of their families. I can highly recommend this book and 5 stars from me
His story begins in Poland, where he was born to poor Jewish peasants. Once the child exhibited musical talent, his father drove him to become an acclaimed prodigy. The book follows Broni's career as he achieved great success in the world of music including the bestowal of a Stradivarius violin by the emperor as well as his love affairs and the painful history of Europe during the First World War and its aftermath. As anger in distress mounted in Germany, Broni began to realize the potential application of his talent, wealth, and contacts to try to relieve some of the suffering that surrounded him
Huberman, hearing that over 8,000 Jewish musicians have been fired from their jobs, is deeply disturbed. He takes a trip to British Mandate Palestine and is impressed by the rigor and love of music he finds in the settlements. Deeply moved, he lights upon the idea of creating a world-class orchestra of Jewish musicians in the Holy Land. He begins to audition players, raises money, reconstructs a concert hall, and secures permission for his group to enter Palestine.
Though a large number of gifted Jewish musicians refused to leave Germany with their families to go to Palestine certain that the terrifying anti-Semitism of the Nazis would soon blow over, Huberman did eventually triumph with a grand opening concert conducted by the great Toscanini of what would become the Israel Philharmonic, one of the greatest ensembles of the world.
I began this book knowing nothing of Bronislaw Huberman. I ended this book wanting more. More about his life, and the thousands of lives he saved. Orchestra of Exiles is the history of many well known and many unknown Jewish musicians. All of whom have Bronislaw Huberman to thank for their lives and those of their families. I can highly recommend this book and 5 stars from me
July 19, 2016
The story is amazing, as are the cast of characters. I loved if for the history, and for providing me with information about which I was unaware. The story of the history draws in the reader, and the short chapters makes it for easy and quick reading. I could not put it down.
However, this non-fiction history book reads more like a novel. There is no way that the multitudes of conversations in the book are real; every single conversation uttered by every person sounds exactly the same. There are many pages of notes, but most of the sources are from the Internet. It may be fine to use only Internet sources for a research paper, but a respectable work of history requires deeper research.
However, this non-fiction history book reads more like a novel. There is no way that the multitudes of conversations in the book are real; every single conversation uttered by every person sounds exactly the same. There are many pages of notes, but most of the sources are from the Internet. It may be fine to use only Internet sources for a research paper, but a respectable work of history requires deeper research.
November 9, 2016
I loved the story of Bronislaw Huberman, Polish Jew who was a child prodigy violinist who went on to worldwide acclaim as the violinist of his, or many, generations. His dream of establishing a world class orchestra in Israel to save German Jews from the horrors of Hitler and to bring culture and beauty to the newly establishing state of Israel becomes the story.
My criticism is the way this book is written. It seems to be more of a research paper than a composed book, heavily footnoted, short chapters, etc. Although, I did enjoy the chapter introductions which Included short quotes from characters in the book.
Overall, definitely a worthwhile read.
My criticism is the way this book is written. It seems to be more of a research paper than a composed book, heavily footnoted, short chapters, etc. Although, I did enjoy the chapter introductions which Included short quotes from characters in the book.
Overall, definitely a worthwhile read.
September 26, 2016
What a fabulous story! Although some conversations seem a bit contrived, I like how they served to humanize the characters. I flew through this engaging read, and I'm anxious to look up some YouTube references suggested in the notes.
Read
April 6, 2016Review by Jane Wallerstein for the Jewish Book Council.
December 30, 2016
I thought this book was boring. The story is amazing.
August 21, 2021
I listened to this book on mp3.
Bronislaw Huberman led a most interesting life. From receiving a Stradivarius from Emperor Franz Joseph to impressing Brahms, he was a child prodigy on the violin. Driven by his father until his death, Huberman found out that he had no money after his father died. This proved to be no problem as he was able to become successful as a soloist on his own.
The book does deal with much of his life. But it also is the story of how Huberman moved from being a pan-Europa supporter opposed to Zionism to the person who rescued Jewish musicians from the Nazis.
Huberman, alarmed by the anti-Semitism of the Nazis, realized that he needed to do something to oppose Hitler, who already had removed Jewish musicians from German orchestras. Huberman decided to start the Palestine Philharmonic Orchestra in the then British mandate.
It was hard work raising money and getting permanent resident certificates for the musicians and their families. At one point he had to circumvent David Ben-Gurion who wanted to use certificates for laborers who could build the state of Israel rather than musicians. He had to reach out to Albert Einstein to help raise funds in the U.S. for the orchestra.
But the orchestra had its premier in 1936 in Palestine, led by the conductor Arturo Toscanini. Many musicians and their families were indeed saved by Huberman from the Nazis.
Another side story involved the theft of Huberman's Stradivarius from his dressing room at Carnegie Hall in the thirties. Later rediscovered, it is now owned by Joshua Bell.
I liked the afterword, where the fates of the players in the story were revealed. The book maintained a palpable sense of tension throughout as it was never certain that Huberman would succeed. Just as he solved one problem, another arose.
The story is well-told by the two authors. I also found out that there is a 2012 documentary, also called "Orchestra of exiles."
I would recommend this book for those interested in history. I knew nothing about this and its link to the current Israel Philharmonic Orchestra until I read the work.
Bronislaw Huberman led a most interesting life. From receiving a Stradivarius from Emperor Franz Joseph to impressing Brahms, he was a child prodigy on the violin. Driven by his father until his death, Huberman found out that he had no money after his father died. This proved to be no problem as he was able to become successful as a soloist on his own.
The book does deal with much of his life. But it also is the story of how Huberman moved from being a pan-Europa supporter opposed to Zionism to the person who rescued Jewish musicians from the Nazis.
Huberman, alarmed by the anti-Semitism of the Nazis, realized that he needed to do something to oppose Hitler, who already had removed Jewish musicians from German orchestras. Huberman decided to start the Palestine Philharmonic Orchestra in the then British mandate.
It was hard work raising money and getting permanent resident certificates for the musicians and their families. At one point he had to circumvent David Ben-Gurion who wanted to use certificates for laborers who could build the state of Israel rather than musicians. He had to reach out to Albert Einstein to help raise funds in the U.S. for the orchestra.
But the orchestra had its premier in 1936 in Palestine, led by the conductor Arturo Toscanini. Many musicians and their families were indeed saved by Huberman from the Nazis.
Another side story involved the theft of Huberman's Stradivarius from his dressing room at Carnegie Hall in the thirties. Later rediscovered, it is now owned by Joshua Bell.
I liked the afterword, where the fates of the players in the story were revealed. The book maintained a palpable sense of tension throughout as it was never certain that Huberman would succeed. Just as he solved one problem, another arose.
The story is well-told by the two authors. I also found out that there is a 2012 documentary, also called "Orchestra of exiles."
I would recommend this book for those interested in history. I knew nothing about this and its link to the current Israel Philharmonic Orchestra until I read the work.
January 20, 2020
"Orchestra of Exiles" by Josh Aronson & Denise George, 2016. Unscholarly but interestingly entertaining account of the celebrated violinist Bronislaw Huberman's life and his efforts to create an orchestra in Palestine during the lead up to WWII.
Reading as more hagiography than biography this book details the musician's early training, successes and disappointments; his commitment to his expression of art ("art pour l'art") and how that commitment changed to answer the continental catastrophe that would await.
After visiting Palestine in the 1930's, Huberman came to embrace Zionism and conceived a plan to save German Jewish musicians by creating a world class orchestra in what would later become the state of Israel; he would be responsible for saving over 1,000 lives from the Nazi murder machine.
Although written in a shop-worn style, the reader becomes engrossed in the accomplishment and devotion of Huberman and will likely continue study of this important artist and story.
Reading as more hagiography than biography this book details the musician's early training, successes and disappointments; his commitment to his expression of art ("art pour l'art") and how that commitment changed to answer the continental catastrophe that would await.
After visiting Palestine in the 1930's, Huberman came to embrace Zionism and conceived a plan to save German Jewish musicians by creating a world class orchestra in what would later become the state of Israel; he would be responsible for saving over 1,000 lives from the Nazi murder machine.
Although written in a shop-worn style, the reader becomes engrossed in the accomplishment and devotion of Huberman and will likely continue study of this important artist and story.
December 13, 2020
2020: Surely, one of the best books that I've read this year. A great story about overcoming trials in various sorts. One area that stuck out to me is how Huberman had a rough childhood, but made a better life for himself than his father could ever give him when he was alive. He moved onto bigger and better things. His father treated him like a workhorse, Bronislaw pleading for a break from shows due to exhaustion; His father even wanted to destroy his son's rare and prized Stradivarius violin because he didn't like the way that the people gifted it to him treated HIM. If you're a classical music fan, or you grew up in an unhealthy environment, you'll enjoy this and perhaps it will bring you hope.
June 12, 2017
Wonderful story of a child prodigy who grows up to become a world class violinist and a passionate creator of the first orchestra in Palestine made up of first class European Jewish musicians. Although no records were kept Bronislaw Hubermann is credited with saving approximately 1,000 Jews from the Holocaust.
My problem lies with the writing. The writing is stilted and the dialogue awkward. I felt as if I was reading a documentary but without the benfit of pictures or video. I really enjoyed reading about this remarkable man but I wish that it was better written.
My problem lies with the writing. The writing is stilted and the dialogue awkward. I felt as if I was reading a documentary but without the benfit of pictures or video. I really enjoyed reading about this remarkable man but I wish that it was better written.
February 8, 2017
Extremely interesting story of Bronislaw Huberman, the Jews he saved from Nazi Germany and the formation of the Israeli Philharmonic. Very interested in the part about his stolen Stradivarius and how it wound up in the hands of Joshua Bell. The unfortunate part was that the book was not written very well. Originally a documentary and turned into a book the dialogue that was created dreadful. Not sure why the writers took that approach. Nonetheless the book is worth reading.
June 10, 2018
The history was fascinating. I came away wanting to learn more about the people involved. But much of the narrative was written in first person as though the author was privy to the thoughts of individuals and conversations of characters. That knocked the rating down for me.
February 12, 2019
Very enlightening read and I learned so much. It is an easy read and very straight forward. Amazing to think of how the human spirit can rise above such atrocities and create something so beautiful and worthwhile as this orchestra in Israel.
February 21, 2022
A fascinating story but so badly-written!
March 16, 2017
Unbelievable human being!
May 31, 2016
This book is definitely worth reading and tells a story I had never heard. It was obviously well-researched. The reason I did not give it 5 stars is twofold: first, the dialogue did not ring true at all (but in the author's defense, it would be very difficult to write dialogue for real people without having known them personally). It seemed like the dialogue was used to communicate information we needed to know rather than sounding like a real conversation. Second, I would've liked more of an emotional connection to be made with some of the musicians and what they were spared of by being part of the orchestra. Otherwise, I found the story inspiring and am so thankful that has been told in book and documentary form.
January 27, 2023
I just finished The Rosendorf Quartet by Nathan Shaman which was a fictionalized account of four musicians chosen for the Israel Symphony Orchestra. On to the back-story and how Huberman was obsessed with creating Israel's first symphony par excellence. I did not read about Huberman's life until he became a violinist in Berlin and began his lifework of creating the orchestra. What he did, how he did it, the help he got, the traveling everywhere to raise money (In the US 60 concerts in 80 days) and he was the draw.
May 9, 2018
In conjunction with the Violins of Hope brought to Nashville by the Nashville Symphony and the Nashville Jewish Federation, I read about the formation of the Palestine orchestra and how it saved the lives of many Jewish musicians and their families. I wanted to know more, and this book contains all the incredible details, the legendary musicians who played such important roles, and the stark reality of the events that made this project a necessity.
July 9, 2016
I began this book knowing very little of Bronislaw Huberman. I ended this book wanting more. More about his life, and the thousands of lives he saved. Orchestra of Exiles is the history of many well know, and many unknown Jewish musicians. All of whom have Bronislaw Huberman to thank for their lives, and those of their families. I loved every minute of this book and then some. Never Forget.
February 25, 2017
Thoroughly enjoyed. His story fills some of the many gaps of my knowledge of this horrible time in history. My love of music and participating in making music with many just made it all the more interesting. Well worth the time to read.
May 12, 2018
Wonderful recount of a passionate humanitarian
The recount of Huberman's life was fascinating. Aronson brought to life the development of such a passionate violinist and humanitarian. Well worth the read.
The recount of Huberman's life was fascinating. Aronson brought to life the development of such a passionate violinist and humanitarian. Well worth the read.
February 2, 2017
Enjoyed it tremendously. A story I had never heard of. Very timely. There is also a documentary about Bronislaw and the Orchestra that you can find on YouTube.
March 9, 2026
Story keeps the reader interested but the writer should not write dialogue. Very heroic story
April 8, 2017
This was a compelling story. The average rating from me is due to the dialogue style, which felt superficial in light of the subject matter.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews