Berlin Philharmonic Commemorates Jewish Musicians Exiled During the Nazi Era

On 10 May 2025, the Berlin Philharmonic held a moving ceremony in front of its concert hall to honour four Jewish musicians who were forced into exile during the Nazi regime. As part of the tribute, artist Gunter Demnig laid four “Stolpersteine” (stumbling stones) at the building’s entrance. The stones commemorate former concertmaster Szymon Goldberg, violinist Gilbert Back, and cellists Nicolai Graudan and Joseph Schuster.

Following the ceremony, members of the orchestra performed a memorial concert in the chamber music hall. The event was hosted by journalist Shelly Kupferberg, who reflected on the lives and artistic legacies of the four musicians. The programme included solo works by J.S. Bach, as well as music by composers banned under the Nazis, such as Erwin Schulhoff and Felix Mendelssohn.

Jasper Bieger, managing director of the Berlin Philharmonic Foundation, remarked: “At last, we are giving visible and audible recognition to the fate of these musicians.” Orchestra board member Stefan Dohr described the Nazi-era expulsions as “a dark chapter” in the orchestra’s history, adding that the installation of the Stolpersteine was long overdue.

The event also paid tribute to Margot Friedländer, a Holocaust survivor who passed away earlier this year at the age of 103. Proceeds from the concert will be donated to the Margot Friedländer Foundation to support educational and remembrance initiatives.