In November 2018, the Contemporary Directions Ensemble, directed by Oriol Sans, performed a foxtrot called “The Most Beautiful Time of Life” (Die schönste Zeit des Lebens) to a sold- out audience at the School of Music, Theatre & Dance. Audience-goers were treated to a rare glimpse of this piece as it had last been performed – more than 75 years ago in a far different setting. Based on a manuscript Patricia Hall researched at the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, this piece was arranged and copied by concentration camp prisoners and had not been performed since 1942 or 1943.

The School of Music, Theatre & Dance created a video highlighting the project and its significance, garnering U-M a Michigan Emmy in 2019. Patricia gave interviews on National Public Radio, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and the BBC, and an Associated Press story highlighting this project appeared in Detroit Free Press, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and more than 1100 other news outlets in 22 countries.

During her talk, Instructor Patricia Hall will be describing the process of preparing this concert—from manuscript to performance. She will also talk about her most recent work in the Collections Department of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum.

This study group will he held on September 25.

Pre-registration is required via the OLLI website or phone. A link to access the study group will be e-mailed to you approximately one week prior to the first session.