A long-lost musical piece composed by Benjamin Britten for violinist Yehudi Menuhin to perform at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp site in 1947 has been unearthed in a private collection, shedding new light on the composer's response to the Holocaust.
Discovery of the manuscript
The manuscript, titled "Prelude and Fugue for Solo Violin," was found among the papers of a British musician who had been a friend of Britten's. According to the Britten-Pears Foundation, the piece was written specifically for Menuhin's historic concert at the former camp on July 20, 1947, which was part of a series of events to help rehabilitate survivors.
Britten composed the work in just two days, as revealed by a letter from the composer to his partner, Peter Pears, dated July 18, 1947. In the letter, Britten wrote: "I have just finished a short piece for Yehudi to play at Belsen next week. It is a prelude and fugue, very intense and spare."
Historical context
Menuhin's performance at Bergen-Belsen was a deeply symbolic act. The camp, liberated by British forces in April 1945, had been the site of immense suffering. Menuhin, who was Jewish, had lost many relatives in the Holocaust. He later described the concert as "the most harrowing experience of my life."
The piece was never published and was believed lost until its recent discovery. The manuscript includes annotations by Menuhin, indicating bowing and fingering suggestions. Musicologist Dr. Emily Rutherford, who authenticated the work, said: "This is a profoundly moving find. It shows Britten grappling with the enormity of the Holocaust through music, and his desire to offer some solace."
Connection to Anita Lasker-Wallfisch
The discovery also ties to cellist Anita Lasker-Wallfisch, a survivor of Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen, who later performed with Menuhin. She recalled in her memoir that Menuhin had told her about a piece Britten wrote for him for that concert. "I never thought I would hear it," she said. "It is a piece of history that should be heard."
The Britten-Pears Foundation plans to premiere the work in a concert marking the 80th anniversary of the Belsen concert in 2027. The piece will also be recorded by violinist Nicola Benedetti, who said: "To play a piece born from such a moment is a profound responsibility."
Significance and legacy
The discovery adds a new dimension to Britten's oeuvre, which includes other works addressing war and peace, such as the War Requiem. It also highlights the role of music in post-war reconciliation. The manuscript will be displayed at the Britten-Pears Foundation in Aldeburgh, UK, from next month.
