The Mischlinge Exposé weaves a multimedia tapestry around a little-known aspect of the Holocaust: the Mischlinge (a derogatory Nazi term for those neither fully Jewish nor fully Aryan). Interweaving video and audio testimony from Carolyn’s godmother and her father (both labeled Mischling, Grade A by the Nazis), with the music of composers from the salon period who converted to Christianity in the decades before the war, and works reacting to questions of identity after the war, the program vividly illustrates what it was like to be between worlds in Germany in the first half of the 20th century. Through the telling of her family story, Ms. Enger’s live documentary The Mischlinge Exposé directly addresses universally significant issues of identity and inclusion, encouraging empathy, tolerance, and engagement. 

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Repertoire List

• Three Songs Without Words Felix Mendelssohn
  • Op. 19. No. 6: “Venetianisches Gondellied”
  • Op. 30, No. 6: “Venetianisches Gondellied”
  • Op. 19, No. 1
• Albumblatt “Erinnerungen aus Wien” Alexander Zemlinsky
• O Traum der Jugend, O Goldener Stern Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel
• Sonatine, Op. 44 “Gradus ad Parnassum” Hanns Eisler
  • I. Andante
  • II. Allegretto scherzando
  • III. Larghetto
• Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen Gustav Mahler
• Five Pieces for Piano, Op. 34 Paul Ben-Haim
  • Canzonetta
• Sechs Kleine Klavierstücke, Op. 19 Arnold Schoenberg
  • I. Leich, zart
  • II. Langsam
  • III. Sehr Langsam
  • IV. Rasch, aber leicht
  • V. Etwas rasch
  • VI. Sehr langsam

Sample Programs:

Quotes

“Carolyn Enger is an artist with a deep talent for music magnified by her compassion for humanity, our common world. A descendant of Jews married to Gentiles, she creates music from her personal search to know who she is in the fractured civilization Hitler left behind with his effort to eradicate the Jewish people. From the ’no man’s land’ of a Mischlinge’s inheritance, she makes art.“-Nathan Stoltzfus, Dorothy and Jonathan Rintels Professor of Holocaust Studies at Florida State University and co-founder of the Rosenstrasse Foundation.

“Thank you again for sharing your compelling work with us—it was an honor to host you. You brought together music, autobiography and memory in such unique ways. The mix of different forms rendered powerful truths about history. I was deeply moved. Your performance was much needed for many of us.” – Dr. Carina Pasquesi, Managing Director of the Wasserman Jewish Studies Dept, Baruch College

“Ms. Enger performed this piece at the Museum of Jewish Heritage– A Living Memorial to the Holocaust on January 19, 2021 and it was well received. The performance was followed by a discussion moderated by Rachel Stern of the Fritz Ascher Society for Persecuted, Ostracized and Banned Art. Here at the Museum, we share stories of Jewish life and experiences before, during, and after the Holocaust; Ms. Enger’s performance fit very well within our mission.” – Jack Kliger, President and CEO of the Museum of Jewish Heritage

“Ms. Enger’s musical and narrative performance of the Mischlinge Exposé, a multi-layered piano, photographic and story presentation, focused on her personal family history and experiences. Her message shared the emotional and individual level experiences felt by those present during the events of the Holocaust. Ms. Enger was a joy to host here at West Point and the presentation was a phenomenal way to remember the events of the past through her amazing music and storytelling.” –Andrew M. Baumgartner MSG, USA, West Point

“[Carolyn Enger’s] acceptance of both Judaism and her family history has propelled her to delve into the history of the Mischlinge. The fusion of historical facts, culture, music, film and her narrative that she delivers flawlessly makes one of the lesser-known areas of the Holocaust fascinatingly vibrant. When she presented it…the audience was mesmerized.” –Barbara Wind, former director of the Holocaust Center of Greater MetroWest, NJ.