Program Notes

Commissioned by the Cincinnati May Festival, The Song of Terezin (1965) was Franz Waxman’s last concert composition. He said later: “My attention had been drawn to the collection of poems called I Never Saw Another Butterfly… which is illustrated with drawings and watercolors by some of the 15,000 children who passed through the Nazi concentration camp of Terezinstadt, near Prague, the great majority of whom were put to death. I at once saw the possibilities of transforming this appalling tragedy into a cycle of songs for children’s chorus, mixed chorus, solo voice and orchestra”

Waxman’s The Song of Terezin consists of eight songs, only one of which, “The Little Mouse”, reflects a playful mood, in which the children’s grim surroundings are bravely forgotten. A more oppressive and apprehensive mood penetrate the other movements.

– Rudy Behlmer, 2000