This compelling study explores the intricate relationship between the Nazis and classical music through the experiences of musicians, composers, and conductors across the political spectrum. In May 1945, a Soviet patrol discovered not only bodies and documents in Hitler's bunker but also an extensive collection of 78 rpm records featuring works by Beethoven, Wagner, and Bruckner, among others. The Nazi regime promoted these giants, with composer Robert Stolz remarking that they seemed to have "put a steel helmet on Mozart." Intriguingly, Hitler's favorites also included "forbidden" Jewish and Russian composers. While he enjoyed recorded music in secrecy, many musicians faced dire consequences, with some perishing in concentration camps or suffering from the war's impact. Others survived but ended up in psychiatric care or fled, while some aligned with the regime, whether out of conviction or coercion, and others joined the resistance. The narrative features figures like conductor Arturo Toscanini, who opposed Mussolini and Hitler, alongside opportunistic composer Richard Strauss and antisemitic pianist Elly Ney, who collaborated with the regime for various reasons. This study delves into a fascinating and complex chapter of music history.
