Re: How Could Szpilman Stay in Poland?

[Alex J. Lubet <lubet001...>]

One of my friends in Poland was the daughter of the former rektor
(president) of the conservatory in Krakow, probably the best in Poland.  He
was purged from his position in 1967.  (My friend's family took exile in
Britain, she was only visiting relatives).  She, btw, translated the model
Seder I gave, the first event in the history of the arts departments of my
university attended by its rektor.  Very well-attended and many people who
couldn't had heard about it; the place to be in Lublin that night.





Alex Jacobowitz wrote:

> B"H Munich
>
> While on my daily jog yesterday, a semi-awful
> thought occured to me from reading yesterday´s
> post about Szpilman´s career - that he gave up
> recording (for Polish Radio?) in 1968. My mind was
> working and reworking that information. I did
> a bit of math while panting around the park.
>
> Lesee - Szpilman was born in 1912, right? That
> would make him 56 or so, hm?  Now, why would
> a professional musician like Szpilman, theoretically
> at the height of his musical powers, suddenly
> abandon what must have been an important outlet
> of his abilities?
>
> Then I remembered that 1968 was the year the
> Polish government purged Jews from their
> positions of power. Coincidence in Szpilman´s
> case? Or was there perhaps something more
> sinister that hasn´t yet been uncovered? Szpilman´s
> name would have automatically been recognized
> by Poles as being "non-Polish", i.e., Jewish.
>
> Any thoughts?
>
> Alex Jacobowitz
>
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--
Alex Lubet, Ph. D.
Morse Alumni Distinguished Teaching Professor of Music
Adjunct Professor of American and Jewish Studies
Head, Division Of Composition and Music Theory
University of Minnesota
2106 4th St. S
Minneapolis, MN 55455
612 624-7840 612 624-8001 (fax)


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