Anita with Mahler biographer Henry-Louis de La Grange (photo, Richard Landau, 2013)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anita_Lasker-Wallfisch
The Last Musician of Auschwitz…
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0027g70
Today, BBC Radio 4, this morning…
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002fwpq
cue to 2 hours 37 minutes.
It was a privilege to attend this event (and briefly to meet her) at the Wigmore back in 2018…
https://www.classicalsource.com/concert/anita-lasker-wallfisch-at-wigmore-hall/
I produced some of Jeffrey Tate’s Mozart recordings with the ECO back in the late 1980s when Anita was a member of the cello section. On one such session, she arrived a few minutes late. The default response of orchestral players to such an event used to be (still is sometimes…but orchestral humour and etiquette has changed over the ensuing decades) a foot shuffle, or a good natured light foot stamp in rhythm with the footsteps of the unfortunate player. On this occasion, Anita’s entrance – calm, unobtrusive, gently nodding and smiling to her colleagues and Jeffrey as she took her seat – was greeted with smiles and a complete, respectful silence. A small lateness beside the events of this remarkable woman’s life was neither here nor there. Happy birthday, Anita. P.S. Richard: nice photo of Anita with de la Grange.
Happy Birthday, indeed.
I’m a little late to send a birthday greeting, but send one nevertheless. From what I have heard and seen of her (on television) she is an amazing woman.
Today’s concert at THE Wigmore Hall was moving and uplifting and included the Mahler piano quartet (he was 16 I think). Raphael played Korngold wonderfully and Simon sang 3 sublime lieder. Benjamin composed a birthday greeting for Anita for piano quartet (with Raphael, Elizabeth and Philippe Graffin). Piers Lane played a major role including the final Brahms Rondo alla Zingarese which had all the joy of celebrating a famous life well lived. In a very well-judged verbal tribute Maya made a touching tribute to her father, Peter, who was, of course, a very distinguished pianist.
Erratum
100th birthday…
I’m so sorry, Instagram inaccuracy.
I am still in limbo from the concert for Anita’s 199 th birthday.
Everything about it was perfect.
There is a treasured connection between our families.
I am sending, on behalf of all my family, very fondest love to Anita and all her family.
Julia Whatley