The Maiden at Berkhof
Summary
| Original Title | The Maiden at Berkhof |
| Composer | Masakazu Shiokawa |
| Year of Composition | April 2025 |
| Instrumentation | Piano solo |
| Duration | approx. 2 minutes |
| Sheet Music Publisher | LesClefsOffice co.,Ltd. |
| Copyright Management | LesClefsOffice co.,Ltd. |
Work Description
This piece was written for those who cannot yet reach octaves comfortably. Although it contains rather intricate modulations throughout, the difficulty is not substantial if practiced with care.
“Berghof” refers to a mountain residence in Bavaria that Adolf Hitler used for both official and private purposes during the Second World War. It functioned as a sort of wartime headquarters, and before the war it was visited by many prominent figures.
Since it was also Hitler’s personal home, a limited number of civilians close to him were allowed to enter. Among them was a girl named Bernile Nienau, who visited the Berghof to celebrate Hitler’s birthday. By coincidence, they shared the same birthday. The two became close, and Hitler is said to have treated her almost like a daughter; they exchanged letters many times.
A photograph of the two, taken at the Berghof, shows them smiling innocently at each other. The image was later used as propaganda to promote the notion of Hitler as a “kind uncle.” (The photo was rediscovered in recent years and was auctioned in the United States in 2018.)
However, it was eventually revealed by the SS that Bernile was of mixed Jewish descent, as her grandmother was Jewish.
Under the pernicious Nuremberg Laws, she fell into the category of those to be excluded. Hitler’s inner circle began to view their relationship as a problem. It is said that Hitler initially did not know this fact, but was later informed by his subordinates.
Even so, Hitler reportedly showed little concern about her background. Although he reluctantly agreed to sever ties after being strongly pressured by those around him, he is said to have complained, “They always take away my pleasures.”
What happened afterward is well known: Bernile Nienau later died of illness at the young age of seventeen.
It is profoundly ironic that the man responsible for the Holocaust—one of humanity’s deepest stains—momentarily disregarded his own rigid ideology when confronted with genuine affection for a child. I vividly remember how shocked I felt upon seeing the photo of the two.
Moved by this tragic and bittersweet fate, I composed the piece with a somewhat melancholic character.
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