"On Auschwitz" (25): Orchestras at Auschwitz

The camp orchestra played for the first time at the German camp
Auschwitz at the beginning of January 1941. Initially there were
seven musicians there, but the ensemble grew very quickly. The
main task was to play military marches to the rhythm of which the
prisoners marched as they left for work and returned to the camp.
The orchestra also gave concerts for the SS garrison members and
prisoners. Later, other orchestras were also established in the
men's and women's camps at Auschwitz II-Birkenau, as well as in
some of the sub-camps. Dr. Jacek Lachendro of the Memorial
Research Centre talks about the history of orchestras in
Auschwitz.