Photograph of Simon (Szymon) Laks
NP: NP, Postwar. Original photograph. Loose leaf. (7 1/4 x 9 3/8") Original b/w postwar photograph of composer Simon Laks, protected by modern mylar. The photograph depicts Laks sitting in front of a fire place in a leather armchair reading a book. Verso with composer's name in pencil, various numbers in red, black and blue, with two small pieces of info crossed out and illegible. Very good condition. Item #46939
Simon Laks (1901–1983) was a Polish Jewish composer and violinist, born in Warsaw as a Russian citizen. He became a Polish citizen and in 1924 the Warsaw Philharmonic performed his symphonic poem "Farys." Via Vienna, providing piano accompaniment for silent films, he went to Paris, continuing his musical studies and composing music for Parisian concerts.
During the German occupation of Paris Laks was arrested and interned in the camp Pithiviers, near Orléans. In 1942 he was deported to Auschwitz where he became the conductor for the concentration camp orchestra. He was transferred to Dachau in October 1944, where he was liberated by the American army. Laks returned to Paris in May 1945.
Price: $375.00