Savior

Set in Germany during the final months of World War II, The Savior is an unusual and illuminating story of Gottfried Keller, a young German violinist ordered to play for the inmates of a concentration camp by an SS officer conducting an experiment in resurrecting hope in Jewish prisoners. Out of fear and insecurity, Keller cooperates and even finds himself compelled by the temptation of manipulating others with his musical talent. As he continues to play for the inmates, guards, and officers of the camp, Keller's horror toward the perpetrators and their abhorrent crime begins to fade, revealing his own culpability. Drucker draws on his own musical expertise in The Savior. As he explores the character of Keller, Drucker interweaves riveting musical description and profound commentary on the composers and works throughout the narrative, including Ysaye, Hindemith, and most notably Bach's searing 'Chaconne' and 'St. Matthew Passion,' to remarkable effect.