Nazis Persecute Musicians

Radio Record, Volume VII, Issue 4, 4 August 1933, Page 11

Nazis Persecute Musicians

Two World-Famous Orchestras Disband — T is one of the ironies of fate that Nazi political persecution in Germany should reflect on radio programmes in New Zealand; but it is likely that famous orchestral recordings will be seriously inter-

fered with, according to information sent in by "Ellingtonia n" (Christchurch), and contained in

an extract from the ‘‘Melody Maker’: "HE plight of foreign dance ’ musicians in Germany has been very grave consequent upon the insular outlook and activities of the Nazis. Particularly have Jewish musicians suffered, and there has been a tremendous exodus of them into Switzerland, a country so small as to be quite incapable of absorbing so many job-hunters. This invasion of the little republic has resulted in several small British bands and individual musicians being squeezed out, so that they are now returning home, bewildered and out of touch with conditions here. In view of the fact that the Dajos Bela and Marek Weber Orchestras are so prominent om recordings featured on New Zealand radio programmes, it is disap- _ pointing to learn of the persecution and consequent disbanding of these famous orchestras because their leaders are of the Jewish faith: Most notable of the German and Jewish bands affected are Marek Weber’s and the Dajos Bela Orchestras, the leaders of both being of the Jewish faith. Only a few months ago both these orchestras played in London, Weber's, in patticular, being strongly "‘ballyhooed." Weber and Bela are both in Zurich at the moment, where they have retired in fear of Nazi persecution. Both the bands have broken up completely, and the two leaders avvear to have come to the end of their tether. If Weber has got away with his private fortune he probably has no need to worry unduly, but it must be a grievous blow to him so recently to have been a public idol in Germany and now to be a virtual outcast. : RES eR CAMO ALL ES PA NREL A ARS RT?