Program Note: Inextinguishable is written in response to Martin Goldsmith’s book, “The Inextinguishable Symphony,” which tells the story of his discovery that his parents met and fell in love playing in the Jüdischer Kulturbund, the Jews-only orchestra in Nazi Germany in the 1930’s. Formed after Jews were expelled from cultural institutions by Hitler’s government in 1933, the “kubu” brought together Martin’s parents, Gunther and Rosemarie along with other musicians who played concerts that served as a glimmer of hope during an increasingly dark time for Jews in Germany. The orchestra also paved the way for Gunther and Rosemarie’s escape to the United States in 1941 when they had to make the terrible decision to leave their entire families behind. Gunther’s and Rosemarie’s parents and siblings would tragically perish in the concentration camps.

Martin’s parents would not tell him of his extended family members’ fate for years and it was only truly in the 90’s when his father, then going by George reveals all, leading Martin to do a torrent of research and write the book on which this piece is based. Not only is this a story of two Jewish families trying to survive amidst rising facism, but it’s also the story of Martin’s search for his family's history and thus, a missing piece of his identity. This work mirrors that journey: his search for this missing piece of himself, the discovery that his parents were part of the Kulturbund leading to the terrible realization that they had to leave behind their friends in the orchestra and entire families in order to survive and find a new life in the U.S., and finally, the closure this revelation brings to Martin. This story ends with Martin knowing that he in fact does have this big extended family, who are a part of him though he never was able to meet them. This is a story many Jews and other refugees can relate to - being robbed of one's family history through oppression, but despite that, through this tragic story of love, difficult choices, survival, there is hope for a better future, which is ultimately the message of the piece.