Reinhard Piechocki

Alice’s Piano: The Life of Alice Herz-Sommer by Melissa Muller
349 pages

★★★★

In February of this year there were reports of the world's oldest known Holocaust survivor, Alice Herz-Sommer, passing away at the age of 110 years old. As is the norm for me, I had to know more about this woman and asap! What an extraordinary life this woman lived. In 1943, Alice and her family were sent to Theresienstadt concentration camp. Many of Alice’s family and friends would perish in the next couple years but she stayed alive and kept her son alive by her talent alone, piano playing. She would play over 100 concerts for the guards, visitors (such as the Red Cross – concert were held as a cover to the deplorable conditions), and even fellow prisoners. She often felt guilty for the fact that she got to live when so many others didn’t but she would live her life to the fullest during her stay in the concentration camp and for many, many years after liberation.

This was such an interesting story about an incredible woman. There are people who have been through far less than she did and can’t begin to hold the amazing attitude she carried until the end. This is was a well written biography of Alice. Obviously the main focus of this book follows her time in the concentration camp but the life she led before and after are also well chronicled throughout. I will admit to getting bored in places but only due to my lack of knowledge. When the author delved into other composers and music I can only say I know a little about it and it left me wanting to get back to Alice’s story. Overall a wonderful and quick read. This woman really was an amazing person; I wish I could have met her.
… (més)

This is an excellent biography of a fascinating woman, until this past February she was the oldest Holocaust survivor, at 110 years. Born in 1903 she saw an immense amount of change in her life. The book was an easy read, something you just want to keep on with until you're done. If I hadn't been in such an awful state this week I probably wouldn't have finished in a couple of days.

Alice was a concert pianist and piano teacher in Prague, well-regarded by many, imprisoned in Theresienstadt when he son was very young. She credits music with saving her life, and being a talented musician certainly did save her life in a very literal sense. The book brings in many statements from people who heard her perform, in Theresienstadt and out, and the effect her playing had on their will to survive. It also talks of the specific character of certain pieces of music and her relationship to them, including the 24 Chopin etudes, which Alice devoted significant time to mastering after her mother was sent the camps.

The book is well-written and very well constructed. When certain pieces of music were being discussed I had them playing as I read, which adds a lot, especially when they're talking about the etudes. I am so glad she agreed to have this book written. Highly recommended.… (més)

This is the life of a remarkable lady who died a week before the date of this review at the age of 110, the oldest known Holocaust survivor. She was a very talented German Jewish pianist from Prague whose musical talents and the passion and inspiration that music gave her kept her and her son Stephan alive through two years in Theresienstadt. She played many concerts there for her fellow prisoners and for the camp administration. Tragically, many performers, along with the vast majority of other prisoners including Alice's husband Leopold, were transported to their deaths in Auschwitz and elsewhere; only Alice, Stephan and a few others survived. After liberation, she returned to Prague where, in a bitter irony, she was not welcomed as many of her Czech compatriots had turned against all German-speaking Czech citizens, even Jewish survivors of the Holocaust. She kept her musical activities up in her new life in Israel and her son became an internationally renowned cellist. Sadly, he died in 2001, but Alice continued playing the piano for several hours a day into her second century, now living in the UK, where her son had moved earlier. A key factor in her wartime survival and long life was her optimism, a stark contrast to the pessimism of her twin sister Mizzi who emigrated to Israel before the war, but who died in the early 1970s. A truly remarkable lady who provides a great deal of inspiration at a personal and a musical level.… (més)