The Cello Still Sings

A Generational Story of the Holocaust and of the Transformative Power of Music

De: Janet Horvath

Narrado por: Samantha Desz

A sweeping history of three generations darkened by the long shadow of the Holocaust, The Cello Still Sings is a vivid, moving, and true story of personal discovery. As a child Janet is haunted by the eerie hush surrounding her parents' experiences. George and Katherine, two professional musicians and Holocaust survivors, bury the memories of who and what they were before, silencing the past in order to live.

Janet finally unravels her Holocaust heritage when she stumbles upon a clue. After the war, George performed morale-boosting programs throughout Bavaria in a twenty-member orchestra of concentration camp survivors. Although Janet also becomes a cellist, her father never discloses that two of the programs, in 1948, were led by the legendary American maestro, Leonard Bernstein.

Janet's father was more fortunate than others. When he was rounded up for hard labor, narrowly missing deportation to Auschwitz, a music-loving Nazi guard gave him gloves to protect his cello-playing hands. Janet's memoir of the Holocaust is deeply personal and illuminating. Through humor and colorful storytelling, she weaves her parents' life into her own and captures the intensity of their life experiences. The lingering scars are healed through the sustenance and power of music, and their music-making unites people from generation to generation.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2023 Janet Horvath (P)2024 Tantor

Poignant recollections of Holocaust experiences and the resilience and hope provided by music.

The author does an excellent job intertwining aspects of her parent’s stories with her own life story and experiences. The stories raise awareness of many occurrences during and after WWII, many of which, such as the DP camps, are not part of what we learn in school. Music plays an important role in her parents’ experiences, and in her own life. Spoiler alert: Her own experience with damage to her hearing was also moving and provided good info and guidance for us all, especially those who work in noisy/loud environments. Overall, this book proved a solid understanding of what it means to be a survivor, and to be a child of survivors. A longish, but enlightening, entertaining and worthwhile listen.

Powerful Family Story

What a captivating book. I could not stop listening to it. From my car to my house and back to the car. This is such a well told story. Weaving history and today into a truly magnificent and heart wrenching family story. A history lesson, a music lesson, and great narrating. Best book I've listened to (and also read) in a long time. Kudos to Janet for telling us this amazing story. A must read/listen.

A Touching and Sincere 70-year History

Janet Horvath's memoir, "The Cello Still Sings: A Generational Story of the Holocaust and of the Transformative Power of Music," is a poignant narrative that transcends its Jewish context, making it relatable to readers of all backgrounds. Through sincere and introspective writing, Horvath invites us into her family's harrowing experiences during the Holocaust, allowing us to connect with their struggles on a deeply human level.
The audiobook adds to the relatability of the telling, especially with the inclusion of a complete recording of "Kol Nidre" at the end of the book played by the author with an accompanist.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of stories of complex, yet highly accessible, human experience.
Jeremy (Our Mind on Music)

Powerful story

"The Cello Still Sings" is a moving and honest exploration of the intergenerational impact of trauma. I deeply appreciated the author’s candor in sharing her father’s experiences and the lasting effects on his life. Her ability to tell both her personal and historical narratives is powerful. I also found it especially meaningful that much of her life has been lived locally, adding a personal connection to her story. This book is a compelling and heartfelt read.