Books: Beethoven in the Bunker: Musicians Under the Nazi Regime

From Flemish author, radio and television presenter, and classical music connoisseur Fred Brouwers comes a compelling survey that examines the remarkable relationship between the Nazis and classical music through the stories of musicians, composers, and conductors across the political spectrum. BEETHOVEN IN THE BUNKER: Musicians Under the Nazi Regime recounts an extraordinary chapter of musical history, exposing the dramatic stories of classical musicians—many of whom were either Jewish, had socialist sympathies, made modern atonal music, or opposed fascism in one way or another—and their lives under the Nazi regime. Brouwers highlights these musicians' often tragic histories during a brutal and devastating time for humanity, and each of their fates.  

In May 1945, a Soviet military patrol’s search of Hitler’s secret bunker in Berlin. They find bodies, documents, jewelry, paintings—and also an extensive collection of 78 rpm records. It comes as no surprise that this collection includes work by Beethoven, Wagner, and Bruckner. The same goes for a procession of other giants promoted by the Nazi regime: “It seems as if the Nazis put a steel helmet on Mozart, girded Schubert with a saber, and wrapped barbed wire around Johann Strauss’s neck,” composer Robert Stolz once said. But how is it possible that Hitler’s favorites also included “forbidden” Jewish and Russian composers and performers? How is it that Hilter's favorites included these blacklisted musicians? BEETHOVEN IN THE BUNKER explores Nazi’s meticulously tracking of the cultural and musical world, signaling how vital music is as a foundation of humanity. Brouwers discusses the remarkable relationship between the Nazis and classical music. While Hitler sat secretly enjoying previously recorded music in his bunker, musicians made of flesh and blood were denied a means of making a living. They died in concentration camps or in other war-related circumstances. They survived but ended up in psychiatric care; they managed to flee just in time; they sided with the regime—out of conviction or coercion—or they joined the resistance.