Marking the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, Sky Arts has commissioned Windfall Films for a 1 x 90 minute documentary The Lost Music of Auschwitz, telling the remarkable story of British composer and conductor Leo Geyer’s eight-year mission to piece together a treasure-trove of forgotten fragments of music manuscripts found in the archives of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum. Now, he and his orchestra, will finally play the music he has painstakingly uncovered, exactly as it would have sounded at Auschwitz, in some cases for the first time in 80 years.
Auschwitz-Birkenau was home to at least six orchestras, formed of prisoners and commissioned by the SS. Many of the manuscripts they left behind are almost too faint to read, while others are damaged beyond recognition.
Windfall Films follow Leo on this musical journey as he discovers how the musicians rebelled with secret performances, and weaving forbidden melodies into concerts. The film is interwoven with powerful interviews with some of the last remaining survivors, and special performances from Leo’s orchestra.
Leo Geyer commented: “After many years of research, I’m pleased to be able to share this music with the public to commemorate 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz. The Holocaust should never be forgotten. Through this music, I hope to bring everyone together to remember not only those whose lives were saved due to their musical talents but also all those who suffered and perished during the Holocaust.”
Dan Kendall, Executive Producer, Windfall Films added: “This is a powerful and important film, and we are so proud to bring such a remarkable story to the screen through Sky Arts.”
The Lost Music of Auschwitz will air on 20 January at 9pm on Sky Arts, Freeview and NOW