…while the victims were entering the changing rooms of the crematorium?
I read that there was a music orchestra at Auschwitz that played every morning,
but NOT at the crematoria as far as I know.
And it didn't involve the Sonderkommando.
This scene is probably a composite by Nelson.
Does anybody know for sure?
Interesting film, powerful, but I didn't like some factual errors.
Read or see "Playing for Time" which is a survivor's account of being in the camp orchestra--a different outfit from the sonderkommandos. They did indeed play (usually) classical music as the victims entered the gas chamber building, again to "reassure" the victims that nothing bad was going to happen to them. They also played for the entertainment of the Nazis. Like the SKs, having a musical skill could significantly increase your chances of staying alive and having slightly better privileges than most prisoners--although, unlike the SKs, your odds were much better, as the Nazis did't kill orchestra members after 4 months.
shareRead or see "Playing for Time" which is a survivor's account of being in the camp orchestra--a different outfit from the sonderkommandos. They did indeed play (usually) classical music as the victims entered the gas chamber building, again to "reassure" the victims that nothing bad was going to happen to them. They also played for the entertainment of the Nazis. Like the SKs, having a musical skill could significantly increase your chances of staying alive and having slightly better privileges than most prisoners--although, unlike the SKs, your odds were much better, as the Nazis did't kill orchestra members after 4 months.
I have not read 'Playing for Time', but i have read most other accounts and all of the testimonies of the SK. It was not normal that there was an orchestra by the gas chambers at Birkenau. The main location for the orchestra at Auschwitz I was not far from the gas chamber, though one would expect that this was before Fenelon's time.
shareThe main location for the orchestra at Auschwitz I was not far from the gas chamber,
It is true, and this is not the only thing that has been changed for the film.
But bear in mind this film is entertainment, not education, they have no responsibility to stick to the 'facts', they need to make a product that people will watch. For those who want to/need to find out the precise details they can. for the sake of the film, it is not out of order to merge certain things to get some flow.
But bear in mind this film is entertainment, not education, they have no responsibility to stick to the 'facts'