List of Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers' Members
In the heart of Austria during World War II, an extraordinary tale unfolded between an American soldier and a local cellist.
Private First Class David Baumgartner, a member of G Company, 409th Regiment, Cactus Division, found himself stationed in Innsbruck, Austria. The company took quarters at the Aldranserhof in Aldrans, and Baumgartner himself took lodgings there.
Baumgartner spoke a little German, as his grandfather was from Germany, which helped him navigate the city. One day, after attending a concert at the Innsbruck City Theater, he approached Innsbruck cellist Max Becke and asked for cello lessons. The request was granted, and the lessons between Baumgartner and Becke took place in Innsbruck.
Baumgartner promised to supply Becke with cello strings from the US in exchange for lessons. This arrangement was not part of any official military activities, but rather a personal pursuit for Baumgartner, who sought to deepen his connection to his heritage through music.
G Company arrived in Innsbruck on May 3rd, late in the evening. Baumgartner's comrade, a camera enthusiast who had acquired a large camera in a tourist town, captured Baumgartner's portrait during this time. The developed film was sent to Baumgartner's parents in Ohio on Victory in Europe Day (May 8th).
However, detailed accounts of Baumgartner’s cello studies with Becke during this period are sparse. Widely accessible historical records and common musical biographies do not provide extensive information about this teacher-student relationship or their activities.
For those who are interested in uncovering more about this unique story, possible avenues for further information include archives or historical societies in Innsbruck that hold records on musicians during World War II, university or conservatory archives if Baumgartner or Becke were affiliated with such institutions, interviews, memoirs, or personal letters related to either of them that may have been published or preserved by family members, and specialized books or journals on musicians in Austria during WWII.
Without access to such specific or primary-source materials, no detailed information can be confirmed about Baumgartner’s cello studies with Becke in that era. However, the story of this unlikely friendship and the pursuit of music amidst war serves as a poignant reminder of the power of art and human connection.
Baumgartner, during his lessons with cellist Max Becke, delved into the shared world of music and history, a captivating dimension that transcended the tumultuous backdrop of World War II. Their music-centered friendship sparked an entertaining narrative in the heart of Austria, adding a unique chapter to the deeply etched history of that time.
