Paul Dessau. Let’s hope for the Best

Dessau was a violin prodigy who became Otto Klemperer's assistant and then an accomplished conductor and composer reflecting his Jewish background. Fleeing the Nazis to the US he became Bertold Brecht’s collaborator and - after his return - an East German musical enfant terrible and celebrity. He wrote concerts, oratorios and film music for mountain films and Walt Disney animations. The film portraits the contradictions in his character, his life and work, and the contributions he made to music in his historical context.
Paul Dessau. Let’s hope for the Best / Der Komponist Paul Dessau. Von Hamburg über Hollywood in die DDR
SEE THE SOUND 2023 Germany 53 min language: German subtitles: English

Paul Dessau. Let’s hope for the Best / Der Komponist Paul Dessau. Von Hamburg über Hollywood in die DDR

D essau was a violin prodigy who became Otto Klemperer's assistant and then an accomplished conductor and composer reflecting his Jewish background. Fleeing the Nazis to the US he became Bertold Brecht’s collaborator and - after his return - an East German musical enfant terrible and celebrity. He wrote concerts, oratorios and film music for mountain films and Walt Disney animations. The film portraits the contradictions in his character, his life and work, and the contributions he made to music in his historical context.

Directed by: Anne-Kathrin Peitz
Composer (Original Score): Paul Dessau
Sounddesign: Jakob Schneider