The Tragic Story of Willi Schmid: Music, Mistaken Identity, and the Night of the Long Knives

The Tragic Story of Willi Schmid: Music, Mistaken Identity, and the Night of the Long Knives

Dive into the poignant life of Wilhelm Eduard Schmid, known as Willi Schmid, a talented musician and music critic whose story was tragically intertwined with one of history's darkest chapters. Born in 1893 in Bavaria, Germany, Schmid's life was shaped by the cultural richness of his upbringing, his harrowing experiences during World War I, and his passion for music.

As the founder of the Munich Viol Quartet and a respected critic for Münchener Neueste Nachrichten, Schmid's contributions to German culture were significant. However, his life was tragically cut short during the Night of the Long Knives in 1934, a brutal Nazi purge where he was mistakenly targeted.

This video explores Schmid's life, his untimely death, and the profound impact on his family, including his widow Kate Eva and daughter Duscha, who later authored a book about her father’s life. Join us as we remember a man of great talent, resilience, and legacy whose story highlights the human cost of totalitarianism.

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