Alma Rose Vienna to Auschwitz

by Richard Newman, Karen Kirtley

Alma Rosé's tragic story, from her birth and youth in the exalted musical circles of Vienna (her father was leader of the Vienna Philharmonic, her uncle was Gustav Mahler) to her death at Auschwitz, first came to public attention through the 1980 film Playing for Time . As leader of the only women's orchestra in the Nazi camps, by force of her will and spirit, she molded a terrified group of young musicians into an ensemble that became their sole hope of survival. And although Alma herself died of a sudden illness shortly before the liberation of the camps, she saved the lives of some four dozen members of the orchestra. In telling her full story for the first time, Richard Newman and Karen Kirtley honor her and the valiant prisoner-musicians for whom music meant life.

Genres: Holocaust, Music, Biography, History, Nonfiction, World War II

408 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2003

Reviews

[Ellie Midwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

A meticulously researched biography of a truly outstanding woman. I read it for research purposes and the further I read, the more I began to admire Alma’s strong personality and boldness. Not only was she a true pioneer in conducting a highly-successful female orchestra when the music scene still mostly belonged to men but managed the impossible in a place where all hope was lost - create a new women’s orchestra out of nothing and thus save multiple lives (almost all members of her orchestra survived the camp). Mr. Newman did an outstanding job with his research. By the time I finished this remarkable biography, I felt like I knew this brilliant woman personally, and not only her, but her entire family and the girls she shared the last months of her life with. By providing historical documents and eyewitness accounts, the author creates a vivid and objective portrait of a woman who refused to bow down to the new world order and remained an artist and a rebel till the very end. A biography I’d highly recommend to everyone!

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this case the title doesn't really tell it all. Much of the story takes place in the years leading up to the Nazi take over of Vienna and the rest of Europe. People were constantly changing their lives to adapt to the new SS rules and regulations and to survive as they could. By the time the story comes to the concentration camps, the prisoners have spent the last few years of their lives trying to get the proper documents so they could leave or be safe where they were. None of their efforts were ever enough. It is amazing how much is known about the individuals lost in the camps. The amount of information is incredible.

[Carey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very moving and unsentimental.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another well researched book which covers Vienna just before and during the beginning of WWII, the musicians who made Vienna the music capital, the trials and tribulations of famous Jewish musicians, and the story of Alma Rose whose father was a famous musician.
. This was a book recommended as being of interest to those who want to know more about the lives of people before and during WWII. I had never heard of Alma Rose; however, her story is worth knowing.
The first half of the book is filled with names and dates in addition to learning about the lives and mores of the upper crust Viennese. The second half of the book deals primarily with Alma Rose after she left Vienna, the choices she made, and her contributions.

[Iris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely phenomenal. A fascinating story which brings Alma Rose to life. An account of the Nazi regime and Auschwitz, very hard to read of the sheer barbarity and cruelty, while at the same time accounts of bravery and the strength of a women's' orchestra under the leadership of Alma Rose.

Alma Rose was a truly remarkable human being. Talented, troubled and sensitive. That she had the support of so very many friends from the musical world and beyond, says it all really.

Highly recommend this book.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I didn't particularly care for Alma Rose, her story is interesting. The book tends to be more of a list of what music was played on what date, so it is a bit dry. I was surprised to hear that there was an orchestra in Auschwitz. Although this part isn't in the book, her brother and his wife ended up moving to London, Ontario.

[Michelle Zapf-bélanger · Rating 5 out of 5]

From her romantic days in Vienna as violin royalty, to the days hiding out in Europe, to Auschwitz itself, this is a compelling and deeply moving tale. Meticulously researched. Even though there were so many things in Alma's story which were unimaginable, I found so much to relate to about her life and circumstances as well. Recommended, but not a light read.

[Judy Hyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important story and one that will fascinate people who are interested in classical music history and/or WWII history.

[Jessi Zeidler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had never heard of Alma Rose before I picked this book up at a yard sale - which I did because of my interest in all things Holocaust. I never would have touched it had it not had the word "Auschwitz" on the cover.

There would always be a part of me that would know, deep down, I was deprived, not knowing this woman's story.

Alma Rose was an incredible person. Her story offers a beautiful picture of strength, endurance and remarkable clarity in the face of unending brutality. She was strong enough to save almost 50 women who would have died in the gas chambers had it not been for Alma.

Alma Rose was an incredible person.

Her story is one of inspiration. Her story needs to be known.

[Bettie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The controversial life and death of the violinist who led a women's orchestra in the Auschwitz death camp. With Alyn Shipton.

wiki catch up on the history link

I think it is terrible that so many key Nazis escaped to lead ordinary lives in S. Americas. Mengeles became an illegal abortionist in Brazil for a time before (and after Adolf Eichmann was tracked down by Mossad) moving to Paraguay.

[Lynette Mattke · Rating 1 out of 5]

THe first half of the narrative was quite dry and drawn out, with lots of bland listings of specific musical works played and practiced, and lots of name-dropping. Unfortunately, the result was that the characters came across as haughty, selfish and unsympathetic. By the second half of the book, which describes Alma's work as a musician in the camp, a bit more feeling came into the book. Certainly Alma was a brave woman under terrible conditions in the camps, but overall, I was surprised how relatively unemotional this book was in comparison to other Holocaust memoirs I've read.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

The controversial life and death of the violinist who led a women's orchestra in the Auschwitz death camp.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00yyfrq

[Sal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extraordinary in its painstaking unsentimental telling of this extraordinary life ~ from the creme de la creme of high society to the death camps.

[Terra]

"I too bleed, and hope for beauty." - Manca Švalbová, on the message of Alma's music at Auschwitz