Main content
This programme will be available shortly after broadcast

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 麻豆官网首页入口 Audio Wales and West

Release date:

59 minutes

On radio

Tue 28 Jan 2025 16:00

Broadcast

  • Tue 28 Jan 2025 16:00

Beethoven Unleashed 鈥 the box set

Beethoven Unleashed 鈥 the box set

The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems

Composers A to Z

Composers A to Z

Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod鈥檚 best stories from the last 20 years

Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem

What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?

A man out of time 鈥 why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...

The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.

Composer Help Page

Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.