Wellington Kristallnacht Commemorative Concert 2024

The Holocaust Centre of New Zealand presents the 2024 Annual Kristallnacht Commemorative Concert:

“WHEN THE VIOLIN FALLS SILENT - MUSIC IN HIDING”

performed by Te Koki Trio

Inbal Megiddo (cello) Martin Riseley (violin) and Jian Liu (piano)

The annual Kristallnacht concert commemorates “The Night of Broken Glass,” the horrific pogrom of November 9-10 1938, across Germany, Austria, and the Sudetenland. During this atrocity, an estimated 91 Jews were killed, 30,000 arrested, 267 synagogues destroyed, and Jewish businesses looted. Kristallnacht is regarded as an historic watershed, marking the escalation of Nazi vandalism, violence, and persecution against Jews, often described as ‘the beginning of the Holocaust.’

This concert will remember the events of Kristallnacht through musical pieces by Jewish and other composers who were persecuted and perished in the Holocaust. The Nazis attempted to silence the music and art of all those they deemed Untermenschen, including six million Jews and other victimised groups. This concert allows us to hear the music of those who were murdered, forced to hide, or flee, thus remembering them and celebrating their artistic brilliance.

In the tradition of playing musical tribute to all victims of the Nazis, this year we pay homage to the music of Jewish, Romani and LGBTQ+ victims.

We'll explore the powerful works of Jewish composer Walter Kaufman and violinist Alex Braun, testaments to the enduring spirit of Jewish creativity. The concert will also pay tribute to the rich musical traditions of the Romani people, passed down through generations, yet severely impacted by the tragic loss of life and cultural heritage during the Holocaust. Furthermore, we'll shine a light on the courageous stories of the LGBTQ+ community, who faced unimaginable persecution in Nazi-occupied Europe, with tens of thousands of gay men arrested, tried, and sent to concentration camps. Through music and narrative, we'll remember, honour, and celebrate the diverse voices that were silenced, ensuring their legacies live on.

The concert will honour:

The Gypsy orchestras in Auschwitz and Falkensee

The violin dynasties of the Lakatos family, descendants of János Bihari – the famous “King of Gypsy Violinists”, and the six generations of violinists of the Boulanger family

“Shony” Alex Braun, violinist and composer

Francis Poulenc

Robert T. Odeman

Walter Kaufman

Join us for a poignant evening of remembrance, mourning, and reflection.
We look forward to welcoming you.

Doors open at 6:00 PM and the concert will begin at 6:45 PM.
Location: To Be Announced