Time's Echo: The Second World War, the Holocaust, and the Music of Remembrance

In Time's Echo, Jeremy Eichler explores the power of music as a cultural memory, showcasing how four towering composers - Richard Strauss, Arnold Schoenberg, Benjamin Britten, and Dmitri Shostakovich - transformed their experiences of the Second World War and the Holocaust into deeply moving works of music. A lyrical narrative full of insight and compassion, the book deepens our understanding of the legacies of war, the presence of the past, and the profound possibilities of art in our lives.

Format: Hardback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 07 September 2023
Publisher: Faber & Faber

Time's Echo: The Power of Music as Cultural Memory



Shortlisted for the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction 2023, The Sunday Times History Book of the Year




Profoundly moving.




EDMUND DE WAAL




A work of searching scholarship, acute critical observation, philosophical heft, and deep feeling.




ALEX ROSS




A rare book: extraordinarily powerful - magisterial, meticulously rich and unexpected, deeply affecting and human.




PHILIPPE SANDS




A remarkable and stirring account of how music acts as a witness to history and a medium of cultural memory in the post-Holocaust world.




When it comes to how societies commemorate their own distant dreams and catastrophes, we often think of books, archives, or memorials carved from stone. But in Time's Echo, Jeremy Eichler makes a revelatory case for the power of music as culture's memory, an art form uniquely capable of carrying forward meaning from the past.




Eichler shows how four towering composers - Richard Strauss, Arnold Schoenberg, Benjamin Britten, and Dmitri Shostakovich - lived through the era of the Second World War and the Holocaust and later transformed their experiences into deeply moving works of music, scores that carry forward the echoes of lost time.


A lyrical narrative full of insight and compassion, this book deepens how we think about the legacies of war, the presence of the past, and the profound possibilities of art in our lives today.




In a world often defined by the tangible remnants of history, Time's Echo offers a fresh perspective on the enduring power of music as a cultural memory. Through the lives and works of four renowned composers, Jeremy Eichler explores how music can transcend time and become a vessel for conveying the weight of past experiences.


Richard Strauss, Arnold Schoenberg, Benjamin Britten, and Dmitri Shostakovich lived through the tumultuous 20th century, witnessing the horrors of war and the devastation of the Holocaust. Yet, their music emerged as a testament to the human spirit's resilience and ability to heal.


Strauss, known for his operas and symphonies, drew inspiration from the trauma of the war and the Holocaust. His compositions, such as "Also sprach Zarathustra" and "Thus Spake Zarathustra," encapsulated the sense of loss and longing for a better future. Schoenberg, on the other hand, pioneered the use of atonality and dissonance in his music, reflecting the chaos and destruction of the war. Britten, a master of choral music, composed works that explored themes of loss, redemption, and hope, such as "The War Requiem."


Shostakovich, a master of orchestral composition, incorporated elements of folk music and popular culture into his works, creating a sense of cultural identity and resistance against oppression. His compositions, such as "Leningrad Symphony" and "The Lady with the Dog," captured the resilience and determination of the Russian people during the war.


Time's Echo not only showcases the musical contributions of these composers but also delves into their personal experiences and the impact of the war and the Holocaust on their lives. Eichler's narrative is filled with poignant anecdotes and insights, providing a deeper understanding of the emotional and psychological toll that these events had on the composers.


Through his meticulous research and poetic writing, Eichler invites readers to engage with the power of music as a cultural memory. He challenges us to think beyond the traditional boundaries of history and to recognize the profound impact that art can have on our understanding of the past.


Time's Echo is a remarkable achievement that will resonate with music enthusiasts, historians, and anyone seeking to explore the complexities of human experience. It is a testament to the enduring power of music as a means of healing, remembrance, and cultural preservation.


In conclusion, Time's Echo is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of music, history, and human emotion. Jeremy Eichler's profound exploration of the power of music as a cultural memory offers a fresh perspective on the legacies of war and the Holocaust. Through the lives and works of these four towering composers, he demonstrates how music can transcend time and become a powerful tool for conveying meaning and healing. This book is a testament to the enduring power of art and the human spirit's resilience in the face of adversity.

Weight: 619g
Dimension: 234 x 153 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780571370535
Edition number: Main