One of the world's most famous orchestras, the Berlin Philharmonic, has finally addressed a dark secret. During the Third Reich, it was run - and paid for - by Hitler's regime.
This is news to contemporary concert-goers, Germans and the world at large. Until now, the subject had been ignored by historians.
But with the BPO celebrating its 125th anniversary, a recently published book, The Reich's Orchestra, takes a hard look at what really happened. In it, Canadian Misha Aster proves that the players became salaried Reich employees who performed until the very last days of the war.
From the late 1920s, the orchestra had struggled financially. By 1933, it was desperate for survival. To save itself, it sold its soul to Joseph Goebbels' propaganda ministry.
Aster's book reveals that the BPO's |
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james woodall reports from Berlin on the orchestra finally admitting its Nazi past |
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chief conductor of the time, Wilhelm Furtwangler (left), protected Jewish players in the first two years of Hitler's rule. By 1935 they had all emigrated. The remaining players were able to avoid military service whether or not they joined the Nazi party.
A riveting new German film, Das Reichsorchester, confirms the whole ugly tale. As well as interviews with surviving wartime players, the film contains footage of the orchestra performing in front of banners of giant swastikas.
Elsewhere, Goebbels harangues audiences of Nazi faithful about the link between Germany's music, the 'Aryan' kind the BPO showcased, and the volk. Notably excluded were works by Felix Mendelssohn, a Jew.
The orchestra always performed for Hitler's birthday, though the Fuhrer was never there. Shots of Nazi bigwigs listening intently to 
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