The Lost Music of Auschwitz is coming to Sky Arts

The Lost Music of Auschwitz is coming to Sky Arts later this month.

The programme chronicles the extraordinary 8-year journey of British composer and conductor Leo Geyer, who worked tirelessly to restore a collection of forgotten musical fragments found in the archives of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum. Through his dedication, Geyer and his orchestra will now perform these rediscovered pieces exactly as they would have been heard at Auschwitz, some for the first time in 80 years.

Auschwitz-Birkenau hosted at least six orchestras composed of prisoners, all commissioned by the Secret Service. Many of the musical manuscripts they left behind are so faint they’re barely readable, while others are too damaged to identify.

The film follows Geyer on his mission as he uncovers how these musicians subtly rebelled through secret performances, integrating forbidden melodies into their concerts. It also features powerful interviews with some of the last surviving witnesses and showcases special performances by Geyer’s orchestra.

The Lost Music of Auschwitz will air 20 January at 9pm on Sky Arts, Freeview and NOW