Pavel Haas, Symphony

This February, I have the great honor of joining the Indianapolis
Symphony for the North American premiere of Pavel Haas’
remarkable unfinished symphony. Pavel Haas, a Czech Jewish
composer, wrote the existing music for his symphony between 1940
and 1941 before his deportation to the Terezin
ghetto/concentration camp. He was a full participant in the well
known cultural activities of the camp, but was unable to complete
the symphony before he was murdered in Auschwitz in 1944. What
Haas did manage to complete is not just a piece that is worth
hearing as a historical curiosity, but is one of the towering
testaments of both the time in which it was written, and of the
unique and innovative Czech symphonic tradition. We are left with
1 fully completed movement, one fully sketched movement, and a
"torso" of a third movement. The symphony was completed by the
Czech composer Zdenek Zouhar after World War II.


The story of Haas’ death, which we will learn about on the show
today is, of course, devastating. Hearing his music reminds all
of us of the individual voices that we have lost. The voices of
the 6 million Jews, and 6 million others whom the Nazis murdered.
But this music also reminds us of the proof that Pavel Haas
lived. Haas was one of the truly unique composers of the 20th
century, and while his tragic story cannot be detached from his
music, the music itself transcends its time and acquires the
universality of all great music. It Is truly an honor to be
bringing this music to the North American stage for the first
time, and at a time of rising Anti-Semitism around the world, I
hope that his story, his music, and his voice, will reach far and
wide. Join me to learn about this remarkable work.