Read an excerpt from A Virtuoso in America: Adrian (A Holocaust Story, Book #2) by Fred Raymond Goldman

A Virtuoso in America: Adrian
(A Holocaust Story, Book #2)
By Fred Raymond Goldman

Publication Date: July 30th, 2025
Publisher: Historium Press
Pages: 272

Genre: Historical Fiction / World War II Fiction

How do you reconcile a decision you made in the past when the world erupts in war, threatening the life of someone you love and believe you were protecting?

Adrian Mazurek immigrated to the United States from Krakow, Poland, 14 years ago and is now a successful violin soloist and concertmaster of The Eleventh State Symphony Orchestra in New York. But despite his outward success, Adrian is inwardly harboring a shameful secret, one he has not revealed to anyone.

However, that is about to change. Adrian plans to propose marriage to Suzanne, but he knows he must tell her the truth about his past before doing so. Riddled with guilt and shame, Adrian can barely look at himself in the mirror. How can he look Suzanne in the eyes and tell her that he left his infant son, Simon, in the care of his aunt and uncle in Poland 14 years ago? If only confessing the truth to Suzanne was the most difficult part.

Adrian soon learns that Germany has invaded Poland and World War II has begun. Fearing the Germans will learn that his son is of Jewish heritage, Adrian must do something to ensure Simon's safety. But what? And will Suzanne stand by his side or will she turn away because of his deceit?

Excerpt

Before Adrian could retrieve his violin from the secret panel in the foyer, the contessa pulled him aside to thank him for making the evening a success. She cupped one cheek, kissed the other, and looked him in the eyes like his mother had when she was pleased with him. This act of affection reminded him how much he missed the touch of his mother. He remembered playing for her in the kitchen one evening while she was preparing dinner. When he hit the wrong note, she stopped stirring her soup, came behind him, and gently guided the bow with one arm and helped him finger the proper notes on the fingerboard with the other. She went quietly back to her stirring when she felt he played it correctly. It was moments such as these he felt his mother’s love. Adrian returned the contessa’s kiss with a kiss on her cheek. As he walked away from the contessa, Adrian heard her tell the count she was exhausted and was going to bed.

Suzanne and Mr. Reitman were waiting for Adrian by the elevator with their coats on. Paul helped Adrian with his coat. Adrian stepped onto the elevator still thinking of the contessa’s touch and the memories it stirred. After the door closed, he realized he’d left his violin behind. The elevator started moving. Paul said it was too late to go back. He’d take Adrian to the apartment when they reached the lobby.

Once back in the foyer, Adrian retrieved his violin. The side door beyond the staircase was open. Adrian heard the count talking. He began to walk toward the elevator but stopped short when he heard the count shout, “Heil Hitler,” and other voices respond, “Heil Hitler.”

Adrian listened as the count spoke about the invasion of Poland and the Reich’s need for money for munitions, to build railroads, and to feed the German army. He asked them to give generously to “the cause” by donating their jewelry and American dollars. Adrian stood frozen between two impulses, one to escape before anyone discovered he’d overheard their discussion and the other to stay and listen to what was happening. He’d heard enough. His desire to escape won out. Adrian moved to the elevator quietly where Paul was waiting to return him to ground level. The shock of what Adrian had overheard took away his euphoria. It was replaced by a sudden coldness that hit him at the core. He thoughts became fuzzy. He needed time to pull himself together.

Adrian was quiet in the limousine on the way home.

Suzanne laid her head on his shoulder. “What’s on your mind?” she said.

“Nothing, I’m just tired. I was more nervous than I thought I’d be. A lot was placed on my shoulders tonight. I’m a little stressed out. Plus, all that wine at dinner didn’t help any.”

“The contessa did go all out, but look at the money she raised,” Mr. Reitman said. “Don’t sell yourself short, Adrian. You were brilliant, and it will help the symphony and your career immensely, and that little surprise of yours, pure inspiration, Adrian, pure inspiration. Get some rest tonight you two.” The driver waited until a doorman escorted Mr. Reitman into his apartment building.

When the limousine pulled up to Suzanne’s town house, Adrian took Suzanne’s hand and said, “Would you mind if I didn’t come in this evening?” He asked for her forgiveness. “I’m tired, and I just need to go to bed.”

“I thought you might like to come in and celebrate,” she whispered in his ear.

“Not tonight,” he said, aware of her disappointment.

He walked Suzanne to her door and unlocked it for her. When he leaned to kiss her she turned her head and ran inside, slamming the door in his face.

Adrian felt bad, but the truth was too many memories had surfaced in him tonight that wore on his emotions. Those and the accidental witnessing of the meeting in the side room next to the stairs confused him and raised his concern for the contessa. He was convinced she had no awareness of the count’s involvement in such activities. His affection for her led him to worry what effect this would have on her if it were to become public.

These thoughts swirled around in his head as he entered his apartment. He kicked off his shoes, yanked off his tie, and dropped into bed, otherwise fully dressed, and he fell fast asleep.

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Fred Raymond Goldman

Fred Raymond Goldman graduated from Western Maryland College in Westminster, MD (now McDaniel College) in June 1962 with a B.A. in psychology. In 1964, he earned an M.S.W. degree from the University of Maryland School of Social Work.

Most of his career was devoted to the Jewish Communal Service. He served as the administrator of Northwest Drug Alert, a methadone maintenance program at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, where he also became the community’s reference point for steering drug abusers to Jewish resources. The work focused on helping individuals achieve abstinence, receive counseling, and find employment.

Following this role, Fred was hired as Assistant to the Director of Jewish Family Services in Baltimore.

The final position in his professional career was with Har Sinai Congregation, a Jewish Reform synagogue in Baltimore, where he served as Executive Director for 23 years before retiring in October 2005.

In retirement, Fred pursued his interests in hiking with The Maryland Hiking Club, exploring nature, and volunteering at The Irvine Nature Center, where he guided schoolchildren on nature hikes and assisted in the Center’s nature store.

Writing had been an interest since childhood, though Fred did not pursue it seriously until retirement. Beginning with children’s books, he became a member of the Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Association. Among the works he wrote were Vera and the Blue Bear Go to the Zoo, Never Bite an Elephant (And Other Bits of Wisdom), The Day the School Bus Drivers Went on Strike, If You Count, and The Day the School Devices Went on Strike. Although these works were never published, Fred hopes that if the CONCERTO books gain recognition, opportunities for these earlier works may follow.

The journey of writing the CONCERTO companion books began after Fred noticed a note on the local library bulletin board announcing the formation of a writer’s group led voluntarily by a local author. Joining the group with nine others, he learned the essentials of writing—maintaining the protagonist’s point of view, building tension toward a climax, rewriting, and developing complex characters with flaws, peculiarities, and unique personalities.

Over four years, Fred devoted significant time to writing, researching, rewriting, and submitting the manuscript. Originally one book titled The Auschwitz Concerto, the project was later divided into two volumes and self-published.

Encouragement from the teacher and fellow writers in the group played a pivotal role in shaping the novels, as Fred also contributed to the successes of others through critique and support.

In the Author’s Notes, Fred explains the purpose of making the books available to the public. Before embarking on the project, he knew little about the Holocaust beyond its staggering toll of nine million lives and its place as one of history’s darkest chapters. In writing the novels, he not only gained deeper knowledge of history and human suffering but also developed a heightened awareness of current issues that demand attention. As he notes, what affects one group of people has the potential to affect all of us.

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