Composer Walter Arlen Dies at 103

Walter Arlen, a notable Viennese composer and music critic, passed away on September 3, 2023, in Santa Monica, California, at the age of 104. His death, confirmed recently by his husband Howard Myers, went largely unreported at the time. Arlen, who fled Austria in 1938 following the Nazi annexation, later became known for his poignant compositions reflecting on the Holocaust and Jewish exile. Born Aptowitzer into a prosperous Jewish family in Vienna, Arlen's life was irrevocably altered by the Nazi regime. At just 18, he witnessed the brutal realities of anti-Semitic violence, including the arrest of his father, who was sent to concentration camps, and the tragic suicide of his mother. The family's department store, a fixture in Vienna since 1890, was seized and "Aryanized," marking the end of their prosperous life. After relocating to the United States, Arlen initially worked as a music critic and educator before returning to composition in the 1980s. His later works served as a powerful reminder of his traumatic past, encapsulating the memories of loss and resilience that defined his early years. Despite the passage of time, the memories of his family's suffering remained vivid, shaping his artistic voice and commitment to preserving the legacy of those who perished during the Holocaust. Arlen's contributions to music and his poignant reflections on his experiences have left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape, ensuring that the stories of Jewish suffering and survival continue to resonate.