The Silenced Songs Of World War II
Six Degrees, 2026
9/10
Listen to The Silenced Songs Of World War II
The Grammy-nominated ensemble Yiddish Glory return with a sophomore album, where their folk and Yiddish ways surround abandoned songs of Jewish life under Nazi occupation that were penned by Jewish Red Army soldiers, ghetto survivors, and refugees across Ukraine, Moldova, and beyond.
The animated strings of “Obodivke Camp” opens with playful keys and expressive singing fueling the upbeat delivery, and “The Sad Camp” follows with mature piano and soulful singing for the graceful climate.
Moving along, “At The Jewish Cemetery” radiates a soft beauty via the stirring strings and poetic singing, while “Song Of Pechera Camp” enlists the moody cello and heartfelt singing amid much emotion.
Close to the end, “A Massacre In Zhabokrych” showcases vivid storytelling to complement the rich strings, and “Yom Kippur Without Fascists” pairs the cello and violin with powerful and relevant wordplay.
Although at its core this is a very despondent subject matter, the ensemble inject Yiddish wit while still focusing on the unimaginable experiences of the survivors with the Russian, Ukrainian, Romanian, and Roma folk traditions intact.
Travels well with: The Klezmatics- We Were Made For These Times; Daniel Kahn & The Painted Bird- The Butcher’s Share