Gideon Klein was a Czech pianist, composer, and educator born on December 6,
1919, in Přerov. He received musical training in piano with Růžena Kurzová and
Vilém Kurz and studied composition with Alois Hába between 1939 and 1940. Klein
reached wider visibility in Prague after performing as a concert pianist under
monikers including Karel Vránek. In 1940, he was offered a scholarship to attend
the Royal Academy of Music in London but was prevented from emigrating by
legislation. He reached wider visibility in December 1941 after being deported
to the Theresienstadt concentration c...