On January 28, 2026 at Hebrew Union College, Jewish Institute of Religion, Dr. Schimmel arranged and performed the Mendelssohn “Violin Concerto for Violin and Accordion” and Schumann’s “Träumerei” for Cello and Accordion.

To give an authentic quality to the music played in a concentration camp, the accordion part was memorized as well as improvised. The violinist was Sarah Vonsattel and the cellist was Elliot Bailin.

The concert was organized for the launching of a new book. “The Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz” by Anne Serba which depicted actual stories of survival in a death camp through the formation of a women’s orchestra. The accordion simulated keyboard parts as well as a portable orchestra in the newly arranged music.

Anne read from her work, followed by a discussion with Bret Werb, Music Curator at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Dr. Schimmel has recently written out the scores and it will be the basis of a new five movement concerto utilizing all of the musical materials plus newly written segments. It will still capture the spontaneity and underlining emotions.

For further information: Accordionbill@gmail.com