Muzyczne wspomnienia z czasu Zagłady. Wieloznaczność "Etiud" Fryderyka Chopina w ujęciu Alice Herz-Sommer

Abstract

The main theme of the paper is music in the perspective of extermination, discussed on the basis of the literary memories written by Alice Herz-Sommer. The first part of the text concerns music in the extermination camps and it is a historical overview of the general conditions and prisoners musicians in Theresienstadt. Alice Herz-Sommer, a famous Czech pianist, was one of them. Music was the only art form used by Nazis in their propaganda operations. Herz-Sommer’s musical memories concern personal feelings and experiences of the survivors in the extermination camp. The paper also emphasizes the role of Frédéric Chopin’s music, which helped Alice Herz-Sommer to survive. The composer’s piano Études inspired her metastories about sound, expression, family and survivors.