Das Reichsorchester

In 2007 the Berlin Philharmonic celebrates its 125th anniversary. It has chosen to mark this anniversary year by highlighting a previously unknown chapter in its history -- the years from 1933 to 1945. Financed by the German Reich and answerable directly to the Reich Ministry for Popular Enlightenment and Propaganda, the Berlin Philharmonic was not only Germany's flagship orchestra it also became an ambassador for the National Socialist regime, particularly on foreign tours. In this new documentary by Enrique Sánchez Lansch (RHYTHM IS IT!) the spotlight is on the orchestra itself -- the musicians, the people, their individual destinies. Although its members were much less exposed than their principal conductor Wilhelm Furtwängler, they, like him, moved in circles close to the powers that bestowed privilege and thereby encouraged people to shirk individual responsibility. The unique
and microcosmic world of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra proves a fascinating subject for examination. First-hand accounts of life in and around the orchestra, delivered by contemporary witnesses still alive today, as well as a wealth of previously unevaluated archive material, provide a highly authentic glimpse into the period under the swastika. The film brings to life, in a manner as fascinating as it is sensitive, this chapter in the history of Germany and its capital Berlin, and explores the question: How does one tread the fine line between independence and individual responsibility?

Category:

Music

Tags:

• nazi
• berlin
• philharmonic
• arthaus
• reichsorchester
• germany

[Gruenkreuz100]

So sehe ich das auch. Wenn man Hitler und dem dritten Reich eines nicht vorwerfen kann, dann das die Kultur vernachlässigt wurde.

[nokki62]

Wirklich ekelhaft, wie die alten Säcke alles abstreiten. Bloß kein "Nazi" sein. Dabei wurde die Kultur in keinem Regime so unterstützt wie im III Reich. Hitler war der größte Förderer. Heute ist die Kultur doch vor die Hunde gekommen und fristet ein Nischendasein im Subventionssumpf. Die alten Säcke sollten lieber stolz sein, in der Zeit gelebt zu haben. Es war eine große Zeit.

[valdengo1]

...Germany lost 6 million military and civilians in the war, Russia lost 400,000 invading Berlin, and came to rape and murder 3 million Russian women.....Russia lost 20 million in the war, really Russia won the war with allied help........the USA lost 410,000.....Russia did the heavy lifting, and exhausted the Germans at Stalingrad......with huge cost.....of the 110,000 German prisoners captured at Stalingrad, only 5,000 made it back to Germany.......

[volvo242tank]

they are patriots, forced to hang that swastika on themselves, forced to honor men who they'd sooner club to death if they thought their families would survive the reprisals, if they had the chance. they bow and genuflect, but it's by design. doubtless there are similar performances in north korea, as there were in russia and china. good for youtube. let's try to remember that these people were pouring their hearts into something that was far greater than anything a documentary can touch.

[volvo242tank]

To anyone out there with the 'courage' to condemn these people, ask yourself if you, at that time, would have had the courage to stand out and denounce the regime publicly, or if instead, like every member of the orchestra there assembled, you would have kept quiet, saving yourself a trip to a camp, telling yourself that a better day was somehow destined to arrive...

[alos69]

@uhartchristian Do you mean Norht Catalonia or North Baskenland?

[jgrab1]

Previously *unknown* chapter? What are all those books and documentaries about???

[uhartchristian]

Yes I did find a normal life and a way of living where you can think free. I got a very good musical education in Paris and the basque country where I live since 10 years is a very good place to live. Surrounded by nature and nice people. But the most important is that I could learn a lot concerning art and music through people like Horowitz, Rubinstein, Ignaz Friedman, Joseph Lhevinne, Myra Hess and many others...

[mc0558]

@uhartchristian Interesting! I had actually thought that Germany had moved on from all that. As you know, the German government is one of Israel's most stallwart defenders. I think Austria and southern Germany are a bit more hitleresque than northern Germany. Anyway, I am sure north or south Germany is fundamentally OK. I hope you find complete happiness and self-fulfilment in France.

[uhartchristian]

you are completely right about the nazispirit of furtwaengler. the problem today in germany and austria this spirit of nazi interpretations is still alife. The musicians today there are mostly influenced by this nazi mentality; as also the old nazicriminals were well protected in these countries even after the war. Now they are all dead but their spirit is still influencing the people over there. I am Austrian and did go off for this reason and living in southwestfrance now.