Terezín Weekend at Wigmore Hall, June 2010
The name Theresienstadt - or Terezín to give it its Czech name - has become synonymous with the greatest propaganda lie in the Nazis' reign of terror. Virtually the whole of the Jewish cultural elite was forced to live in the concentration camp located 60km from Prague. The Nazis used the camp as a showcase, allowing inmates to stage a whole range of entertainments, including plays, concerts, operas, cabaret and café concerts, for the entertainment of visitors who even included the International Red Cross. In reality the prisoners were being starved, which, combined with hard labour, meant a daily struggle for survival. There could be no greater contrast between this and the extraordinarily varied and creative work produced by the camp inmates.
The Nash Ensemble weekend offered a reminder of these struggles through the presentation of films and talks (including conversations with camp survivors), a children's art exhibition, and the performance of works by composers whose exceptional talent was so cruelly cut short. Ultimately the ensemble celebrated the triumph of the human spirit over adversity and intolerance.
Click here to view a pdf of the leaflet (2.1mb).
"Will to Create, Will to Live"
Terezín concerts at 92Y, New York, January 2012
92Y presents a multi-disciplinary exploration into the culture of Terezín, led by a four-concert series (3 given by the Nash Ensemble) featuring music written and performed there. The spirit of Terezín is also revealed through lectures, panel discussions, film screenings, literary readings, dance presentations, an art exhibition and educational outreach.
Click here for the 92Y's website.
CD for Hyperion of music by Terezín composers
To be released in the Autumn 2012
Gideon Klein: String Trio
Viktor Ullmann: String Quartet No.3
Hans Krasa: Instrumental Suite from the children's opera Brundibar
arr. David Matthews (world premiere recording)
Hans Krasa: Tanec for string trio
Pavel Haas: String Quartet No.2 "From the Monkey Mountains"
"The Stars of Terezín"
Terezín concerts in Prague, April 11-14 2013
Reception at the British Embassy, concerts at the Prague Conservatoire, masterclasses at the Prague Music School, films, talks with survivors, and an exhibition.
