Kempa's "violin of hope," as it has come to be called, is the only known instrument actually built inside the camp. It is unknown how the violin left Dachau and ultimately made its way to Hungary.

Anno 1941, Franciszek Kempa.” The origins of the violin, built in 1941 by Franciszek “Franz” Kempa while imprisoned by the Nazis at Dachau in southern Germany, remained unnoticed for decades.

When Hungarian arts dealers, Szandra Katona and Tamás Tálosi came across the violin, they were initially intending to donate it. Then, when their friend looked in the violin’s F-hole, they found a ...

Kempa’s violin, built in 1941, remained unnoticed for decades. It wasn’t until art dealers in Hungary sent the instrument out for repairs - after having stored it for years among a set of ...

Performances in N.Y.C. Advertisement Supported by We asked Hilary Hahn, John Adams, André Rieu and others to pick the music that moves them. Listen to their choices. In the past, we’ve asked ...