Symphony of the Holocaust

Interested in hosting a documentary screening, Q&A session and/or a musical performance centered around Symphony of the Holocaust? Contact our offices today to get started! We’ll help you curate an event that offers a meaningful experience for your community.

Symphony of the Holocaust is a documentary film on the life of master violinist and Holocaust survivor Shony Alex Braun, who transformed his experience in Nazi death camps into the Symphony of the Holocaust, a haunting yet hopeful musical testament to the millions of Jews — including his family — murdered by the Nazis during World War II.

After his miraculous survival, Shony composed over 200 works on his prized violin.  But Symphony of the Holocaust was his masterwork, and he longed to play it at the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp where his nightmarish journey began. His hope was to fill the camp with the beauty of his music.  Unfortunately, Shony died before he had the opportunity.

But now, Shony’s family has fulfilled his wish, by traveling to Auschwitz to play his symphony  in front of the infamous Auschwitz-Birkenau gate – the very gate that so many Jews traveled through to their horrific deaths.

Symphony of the Holocaust features musical commentary by Maestra Green and performance footage of the LAJS featuring LAJS Founding Concertmaster Mark Kashper as violin soloist for the titular piece at our education concert Triumph of the Spirit: Holocaust Stories Through Music in collaboration with The Soraya.

 

Documentary Trailer

 “Symphony of the Holocaust” is a “Sunn Stream Original” film that is exclusively available to watch on SunnStream.com.

The Symphony of the Holocaust by Shony Alex Braun

Listen to all 5 movements of the original composition, Symphony of the Holocaust by Shony Alex Braun, played by The Los Angeles Jewish Symphony with solo violinist and Founding Concertmaster Mark Kashper.
Listen to excerpts from the reduced version of the original composition, Symphony of the Holocaust by Shony Alex Braun, played by Students of the Vanderbilt University Blair School of Music with solo violinist Adam Millstein.

Event Reviews

“We were a group of eight people who saw the movie, and met and talked with Dr. Green. Wow!! It was so powerful and touching. I hope it will be screening in more theaters around the country and the world.”

 

– Miri Oren

“Getting through the performance, in that setting, feels unbelievably glorious, but also quite heart wrenching (keep tissues handy.)”

 

– KPFK Film Club

“Thank you for the opportunity to share this beautiful documentary with my friends.  I love what you bring to our community, and when I can help in some small way I am proud to do that.”

 

– Lydia Friedlich

“We did a Mizvah and were all just mesmerized by the film.”

 

– Sheila Rosenberg

“Symphony of the Holocaust is an amazing work that documents sorrow and tragedy, but also celebrates survival, love, and triumph. It is an unforgettable experience that, in many ways, is perfectly right for the times…one should prepare to be incredibly moved.”

 

– KPFK Film Club

“Symphony Of The Holocaust is an inspiring and amazing story based on the extraordinary life of violinist, Shony Alex Braun, and his indefinable spirit, strength and love of music that helped him to survive the concentration camps in Nazi Germany. This music is beautiful, at times haunting and emotional, and the film is beautifully shot. It is not to be missed!!”

 

– Dianne Merryl

The film’s power lies ultimately in the message of forgiveness that shines through – that choosing music over death, beauty over ugliness, love over hate transcends division and brings people together.

 

– Jennifer Hambrick, WOSU Public Media / NPR, Classical 101’s Midday Host

The “Symphony of the Holocaust” documentary really is remarkable. It’s not only an emotional journey for the family, but the viewer, as well. The world needs to know Shony Alex Braun’s story!

 

– Jenna Jordan, Spectrum News 1 Ohio

Past Events

Press

‘Symphony of the Holocaust’: Honoring a Legacy of Music Through Film

April 5, 2024

Article by Bridgette M. Redman, The Acorn

‘Symphony of the Holocaust’ an emotional journey to joy

January 2, 2024

Article by Jenna Jordan, Spectrum News 1

Harmony Amidst Horror: 'Symphony of the Holocaust' Echoes Hope and Resilience

December 8, 2023

Article by Sari Cohen, Hollywood First Look

Palm Springs Jewish Film Festival Hosts Screening of New “Symphony Of The Holocaust”

March 11, 2024

News Report by NBC Palm Springs and Pristine Villarreal

FOX 11 LA Recap: Symphony of the Holocaust Documentary submitted for Oscar consideration

Dec 16, 2023

Video by FOX 11

New 2023 Documentary ‘Symphony of the Holocaust’ submitted for Oscar Consideration for Best Documentary Feature

December 7, 2023

Article by Goody PR, News Wires

New 'Symphony of the Holocaust' Film and Live Musical Performance at Palm Springs Jewish Film Festival on March 11, 2024

Feb 20, 2024

News Provided by EIN Presswire

“Symphony of the Holocaust” Documentary Fulfills Final Wish with a Forgiveness Reminder

December 14, 2023

Article by Marylin Anderson, Splash Magazine

167 Documentaries Enter Oscars Doc Race

December 4, 2023

Article by Steve Pond, The Wrap

KPFK Film Club Review: SYMPHONY OF THE HOLOCAUST

November 9, 2023

Article by KPFP Film Club