Anita Lasker was born into a German Jewish family in Breslau, then Germany (present day Poland). Her father Alfons was a lawyer and her mother a violinist.
Anita was sent to Auschwitz in December 1943. Playing in the Women's Orchestra of Auschwitz saved her, as cello players were difficult to replace. The orchestra played marches as the slave labourers left the camp for each day's work and when they returned. They also gave concerts for the SS.
In 1946, Anita moved to Great Britain and married the pianist Peter Wallfisch. Her son is the cellist Raphael Wallfisch. Wallfisch co-founded the English Chamber Orchestra (ECO), performing as both a member and as a solo artist, and toured internationally. Her grandson is the composer Benjamin Wallfisch.
In 1995 she published her book 'Inherit the Truth': Memoir of a member of the women's orchestra in Auschwitz.
Full biography on 'Anita Lasker-Wallfisch', Wikipedia.
