Sandor Fisher, born in Romania in 1919, began violin at six and later studied voice and acting. When his father was sent to forced labor, Sandor replaced him, bringing his violin into the camp. Ordered to play for officers, he used the opportunity to smuggle food to fellow prisoners. In 1944 he escaped and joined Soviet forces.
Valeria Teichner was born in Hungary in 1925 and began violin lessons at age six. Deported to Auschwitz in 1944, she became prisoner A-12763 and was separated from her mother. Later sent to the Görlitz labor camp, she was ordered to sing Lorelei while playing violin for the commanders. A forbidden gift of cake from a cook led to her death sentence, but at the last moment the capo spared her. She was liberated by Soviet forces on May 8, 1945.
After the war, Valeria and Sandor married in Israel, raised three daughters, and built a family of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Sandor kept his violin close all his life, playing until his final days.
