Even in the bleakest of circumstances, an artist will find themselves creating. It is part of their survival mode to remind themselves that there’s a reason to hold on. That hope might happen. Or at least that a piece of their soul will survive in their artwork and keep them alive in another’s life. During World War II, millions of Jews, gypsies and others were captured by the Nazis and taken to the concentration camps around Europe. Some were immediately put to death. Others were forced to work under harsh conditions until they found themselves in the grave. Six million people were murdered. And yet in such a horrifying existence, musicians inside the concentration camps were still composing songs. Some of these songs ended up being collected in a book. “Songs Never Silenced” by Velvel Pasternak. Ute Lemper – Lieder Fur Die Ewigkeit (Songs For Eternity) is a concert dedicated to the music that didn’t perish behind the gates.
Ute explains to the audience how this is a necessary concert. That in the middle of a genocide and the brutality, this music was created. She points out her fear that with the rise of hate groups, people must be reminded what truly happened. She brings the necessary gravitas and passion to the lyrics. The band for the performance consists of Vana Gierig (piano), Danel Hoffman (Violin), Victor Villena (Bandoneon), Jonathan Hadas (Clarinet), and Romain Lecuyer (Double Bass). They really honor the music with their playing.
This is not just a concert video of the performance on the stage. Ute Lemper and Orly Beigel visit the site of Bergen-Belsen. It is Beigel that inspired the concert by giving Ute the songbook. Her mother had been held at Bergen-Belsen and was liberated by the U.S. Troops. This adds to the weight of the performance. While a few of the songs are up tempo, the audience isn’t allowed to forget the setting from which they were written. This not a cheerful nostalgia concert to let you remember how cool the songs were in 1940s Germany. Ute Lemper – Lieder Fur Die Ewigkeit (Songs For Eternity) allows the words and music of those imprisoned to survive and reach more people.
The Video is 1.78:1 anamorphic. The Blu-ray video brings out the subtle lighting during the show. The Audio is LPCM 2.0 Stereo and DTS-HD MA 5.1. Both mixes bring out the weight of the concert. The concert is subtitled in English, German, Spanish, Italian and French so you can appreciate the lyrics.
No bonus features.
Monarda Music presents Ute Lemper – Lieder Fur Die Ewigkeit (Songs For Eternity). Directed by Ute Lemper. Featuring Ute Lemper, Orly Beigel, Vana Gierig, Danel Hoffman, Victor Villena, Jonathan Hadas, and Romain Lecuyer. Running Time: 94 minutes. Rating: Unrated. Release Date: December 6, 2024.
