Sonderstab Musik: music confiscations by the Einsatzstab Reichsleiter Rosenberg under the Nazi occupation of Western Europe

Uittreksel

Against the background of the Nazi purge of Jews and "Jewish elements" from German culture, under the leadership of Alfred Rosenberg, describes the activities of the "Sonderstab Musik, " whose aim was to locate music manuscripts, books, and instruments. This enterprise, headed by the musicologist Herbert Gerigk, was extended to Nazi-occupied Europe, where it carried out extensive confiscations of Jewish property related to music. Particular attention is given to confiscations in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Among the Jews who lost possessions were the composer Darius Milhaud and the harpsichordist Wanda Landowska. Most Jewish musical property remained in the hands of German citizens after the war. (From the Bibliography of the Vidal Sassoon International Center for the Study of Antisemitism).

Inhoud

Concise Curriculum Vitae for Alfred Rosenberg -- 1. A Concise Overview of German Music Policy (1928-1940). 1.1. The Einsatzstab Reichsleiter Rosenberg (ERR): Objectives and Organization -- 2. Implementation of Music Policy in Germany (1935-1945). 2.1. Herbert Gerigk: Rosenberg's Political Orchestrator. 2.2. The Hauptstelle Musik at the DBFU (1935-1945). 2.3. The Amt Musik of the Einsatzstab Reichsleiter Rosenberg (ERR) (1940-1945). 2.4. The Lexikon der Juden in der Musik. 2.5. The Hohe Schule -- 3. The Einsatzstab Reichsleiter Rosenberg (ERR) in Occupied Western Europe (1940-1945). 3.1. The Sonderstab Musik of the ERR -- 4. The Case Histories. 4.1. Wolfgang Boetticher. 4.2. Guillaume de Van. 4.3. Darius Milhaud. 4.4. Wanda Landowska -- Appendix I: Processing the Items Confiscated from France at the Amt Musik in Berlin -- Appendix II: Testimonies from Dr Herbert Gerigk and Dr Wolfgang Boetticher (1960-1961).