Alice herz sommer biography for kids

They lived for the music. It was like food to them. If they hadn't come [to hear us], they would have died long before. As we would have. Herz-Sommer was billeted with her son during their time at the camp; he was one of only a few children to survive Theresienstadt. Her husband died of typhus in Dachausix weeks before the camp was liberated.

After the Soviet liberation of Theresienstadt inshe and Raphael returned to Prague, and in March emigrated to Israel, to be reunited with some of her surviving family, including her twin sister, Mariana. In London Herz-Sommer lived close to her family in a one-room flat in Belsize Parkvisited almost daily by her closest friends, her grandson Ariel Sommer, and daughter-in-law Genevieve Sommer.

She practised playing the piano three hours a day until the end of her life. She stated that optimism was the key to her life:. I look at the good. When you are relaxed, your body is always relaxed.

Alice herz sommer biography for kids: Alice Herz-Sommer, also known

When you are pessimistic, your body behaves in an unnatural way. It is up to us whether we look at the good or the bad. When you are nice to others, they are nice to you. When you give, you receive. She also declared a firm belief in the power of music: "Music saved my life and music saves me still I am Jewish, but Beethoven is my religion. Her son Raphael, an accomplished cellist and conductor, died inaged 64, of an aneurysm in Israel at the end of a concert tour.

He was survived by his wife and two sons.

Alice herz sommer biography for kids: Born in Prague in to

Becoming a finalist at the Vienna International Piano Competition and playing to Artur Schnabel were among the highlights of her career before war descended for the second time in her life. The Theresienstadt concentration camp was supposed to be the 'model' camp, to show the rest of the world that the Nazis were treating the Jewish people well and this led to many concerts being held, with Alice being a central figure to all the music making, performing in over concerts over 2 years.

Before emigrating to London in she lived in Israel, teaching at the Jerusalem Conservatory. We'd like to hear your stories about moving house. Podcast More about Woman's Hour podcasts. Leading women. Explore the BBC. Listen online to Radio 4 Listen Live. Contact Us Like this page? Send it to a friend!

Alice herz sommer biography for kids: Alice Herz-Sommer, also known as Alice

Alice used to say that the hardest part about the experience was watching her son go hungry. To make up for it, she tried to always keep a smile on her face. Alice Herz-Sommer and her son were among the few survivors of that concentration camp. When the war ended, they moved to Israel. Alice decided not to live in the past and to raise her son without hate or resentment.

Alice died at the age of in London, England. Her legacy proves that your attitude and outlook on life can determine your future. All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.

This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist. Select from the 0 categories from which you would like to receive articles. Culture Biographies. The life of Alice Herz-Sommer is proof of two great truths. The first is that a happy childhood can help you deal with life's greatest challenges.

The second is that a positive attitude can help overcome any challenge.