Max Starkmann

The Second World War began on 1 September 1939. Soon after its outbreak, the National Socialists tightened their policy towards Jews. They not only lost all civil rights, but were also threatened with deportation if they did not manage to flee abroad. Many of the Jews from Vienna were deported to Minsk.[1] The first transport took place in November 1941, followed by nine more transports in 1942.[2]

Photo of Arnold Rosé, Max Starkmann and Josef Geringer

The story of Max Starkmann as an example

Max Starkmann was born in Vienna on 2 October 1880. He joined the orchestra of the State Opera and the Vienna Philharmonic on 1 December 1911; in the same year he married Elsa Schimmerling. Both were members of the Jewish Community in Vienna.

Starkmann played violin in the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra for over 27 years until he was notified in writing of his forced leave of absence on 23 March 1938, at the age of 58:

"The management of the State Opera hereby informs you that you are on leave of absence with immediate effect until further notice. With German greetings. The Management of the State Opera."

On 5 October 1942, the Starkmann family was forced to board the last mass transport to Malyj Trostenez at the Aspang railway station in Vienna, together with about 550 other people. Only four days later, the couple met a violent death in Maly Trascjanec.[3]