Walter Arlen was born in Vienna in 1920 and began writing music while still a teen. After escaping the Nazis, his career plans were destroyed. A series of chance meetings in 2005 led to a concert of Arlen’s works at Vienna’s Jewish Museum on the 70th anniversary of Austria’s annexation by Germany. In attendance were the country’s leading politicians along with various representatives of Exile-Music groups in Austria and Germany. Arlen was interviewed between works and made such a strong impression that his music was quickly taken up by both German and Austrian institutions leading to further performances and a forthcoming CD.
Also featuring a performance of selections from Walter Arlen’s “Shakespeare Sonnets” sung by bass-baritone and UCLA Music Department Chair Michael Dean, accompanied by Professor Stulberg
