HANS KRÁSA
- selected work for cello -
Tanz for String Trio
- selected work for cello -
Tanz for String Trio
Tanz - Hans Krása
composed in Theresienstadt
composed in Theresienstadt
Hans Krása was born in Prague on November 30, 1899 into a well-to-do family. His mother was a German Jew and though he grew up in Prague, she imparted German culture into their home (specifically, the German language). He began his piano studies at age six, immediately displaying musical talent. When Krása was ten years old his father bought him an Amati violin and arranged violin lessons in order to broaden his musical horizons. Krása’s father’s prosperity lead to many subsequent opportunities. For example, when Krása wrote his first orchestral piece and string quartet, his father arranged for the pieces to be performed professionally.
Although his output was not extensive, the works he did compose were successful. His first opera, Verlobung im Traum (Betrothal in a Dream), won the Czechoslovakian State Prize in 1933. Krása composed a children’s opera, Brundibár (Bumblebee) in 1938. The performers were to be the children from Prague’s Jewish-Zionist orphanage. While different sources cite contradictory premiere dates (1941 or 1942), the first performance was a gift to the Jewish-Zionist orphanage director, Moritz Freudenfeld. Brundibár was performed twice in Prague before the mass deportations of Jews began. Krása was sent to Theresienstadt on August 10, 1942, before he was able to hear the work performed.
In Theresienstadt, Krása served as director of the music section of the Freizeitgestaltung, or Administration of Free Time Activities. As fate would have it, the majority of the cast of Brundibár was also deported to Theresienstadt, and this opera became a hit. It was performed fifty-five times in the camp. The Nazis used these performances to help portray the camp as a cultural haven when Red Cross inspectors visited.
Tragically, Krása and his wife were both deported to Auschwitz in October of 1944, where they were murdered in the gas chambers.
Although his output was not extensive, the works he did compose were successful. His first opera, Verlobung im Traum (Betrothal in a Dream), won the Czechoslovakian State Prize in 1933. Krása composed a children’s opera, Brundibár (Bumblebee) in 1938. The performers were to be the children from Prague’s Jewish-Zionist orphanage. While different sources cite contradictory premiere dates (1941 or 1942), the first performance was a gift to the Jewish-Zionist orphanage director, Moritz Freudenfeld. Brundibár was performed twice in Prague before the mass deportations of Jews began. Krása was sent to Theresienstadt on August 10, 1942, before he was able to hear the work performed.
In Theresienstadt, Krása served as director of the music section of the Freizeitgestaltung, or Administration of Free Time Activities. As fate would have it, the majority of the cast of Brundibár was also deported to Theresienstadt, and this opera became a hit. It was performed fifty-five times in the camp. The Nazis used these performances to help portray the camp as a cultural haven when Red Cross inspectors visited.
Tragically, Krása and his wife were both deported to Auschwitz in October of 1944, where they were murdered in the gas chambers.