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As a young schoolgirl, Liz Slaven embarked on the journey of learning to play the piano, guided by her tutor, Walter Hambock, who was recommended by a classmate. Throughout the early 1970s, Hambock diligently provided Liz with weekly lessons that aided her in passing her music examinations. Initially, when her friend jokingly mentioned that the musician had ties to a historical figure, Liz dismissed it as mere jest, unaware of the truth that awaited her in the future.
It wasn’t until much later in life that Liz stumbled upon the startling revelation that her music teacher, Walter Hambock, had actually served as Adolf Hitler’s pianist. Born in Vienna, Austria, in 1910, Hambock’s exceptional piano skills, particularly his renditions of Beethoven’s music, caught the attention of high-ranking Nazis who ultimately recommended him to Hitler. He spent several years performing for the German leader, until a fateful turn of events unfolded in early 1940.
Following Hambock’s return from a concert in Holland that featured a Jewish conductor, he was arrested and subsequently sent to the Dachau and Flossenburg concentration camps. Despite enduring these horrific experiences, Hambock’s resilience shone through as he emerged from the camps in April 1945. Setting out on a new chapter, he eventually settled in Scotland, marrying Helen Weir in 1962 and contributing to the local music scene in Aberdeenshire.
Amateur historian Billy Watson’s research unearthed the hidden past of Walter Hambock, tracing his journey to Scotland and shedding light on his impactful presence in the community. While memories of Nazism and concentration camps lingered in the background, those who crossed paths with Hambock fondly remember his warmth and musical talents. Liz Slaven, one of his former pupils, reflected on her time under his tutelage, cherishing the valuable lessons he imparted, unknowing of the profound history that intertwined with his life as a musician
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