Description
Isaac Schwartz - Yellow Stars DVD
A Film by Joan Grossman
National Philharmonic of Russia, conducted by Vladimir Spivakov
UPC 4006408935087
Overview
Yellow Stars is a deeply moving film directed by Joan Grossman, featuring Isaac Schwartz’s haunting composition, Concerto for Orchestra in Seven Parts, known as Purimspiel in a Ghetto. This evocative piece, dedicated to the memory of Holocaust victims, captures the struggles, resilience, and tragic beauty of life within the ghettos. Performed by the National Philharmonic of Russia under the direction of Vladimir Spivakov, this DVD combines powerful orchestration with stirring visual elements, creating a solemn tribute to the past.
Drawing inspiration from the poignant diaries of Holocaust survivors, including The Diary of Dawid Sierakowiak, The Warsaw Diary of Adam Czerniakow, and Janusz Korczak's writings, Yellow Stars is a musical and visual elegy honoring the spirit of those who lived through unimaginable hardship. Each movement, from the Morning Prayer to the heart-wrenching Finale, reflects the human experience in the face of atrocity, blending themes of faith, struggle, and the enduring hope of a people.
Product Features
- Format: DVD-5
- Sound Format: Dolby Digital
- Picture Format: NTSC, Black & White/Color, 4:3
- Region Code: Region 0 (Worldwide)
- Run Time: 57 minutes and 44 seconds
- Languages/Subtitles: German, English, French
- Recorded at: Svetlanov Hall, Moscow International Performing Arts Center, Russia
- Release Year: 2005
- Publisher: Capriccio, distributed by Delta Music GmbH
Interesting Facts
- Historical Significance: The score draws from Jewish folk traditions and the memories of those in the ghettos, giving voice to themes of Purim—a Jewish holiday commemorating survival—and reinterpreting it within the tragic context of Holocaust memory.
- Dedication: The piece was composed and performed in memory of Holocaust victims, with a special dedication to conductor Vladimir Spivakov, known for his impactful renditions of works centered on themes of resilience and remembrance.
- Diaries of the Ghettos: Excerpts from personal diaries of Holocaust survivors, including Dawid Sierakowiak and Adam Czerniakow, provide firsthand perspectives, enriching the film’s narrative and connecting audiences with historical realities.
- International Collaboration: Produced by Capriccio and Delta Music in Vienna, this international production incorporates narration, orchestration, and design from a globally recognized team, capturing universal themes of human suffering and strength.
Movements
- Choral and Theme with Variations – A solemn, reflective opening
- Dance – A tribute to the resilience of spirit, through traditional Jewish dance themes
- Nocturne – A somber, haunting lullaby
- Humoresque – A lighter moment, offering brief respite
- Evening Prayer: Last Night in the Ghetto – Captures the final, poignant prayers
- Finale – A powerful, emotionally charged conclusion
Publishers
- Executive Producer: Winklerfilm, Vienna
- DVD Authoring: Zone, Vienna
- Production: Delta Music Media, Vienna
- Design: Agentur sowiesol, Cologne
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