Schellack photos & reviews (military music)

[HeadHunter131]

Here two interesting recordings from 1938:

Panzerlied(Obs stürmt oder schneit) very famous (with Heyn-Quartett)
Es ist so schön Soldat zu sein (played by Reichsmusikzug des RAD)

Grammophon-C-2784.jpg

[Ivan Ž.]

Tempo-707.jpg

Wir sind Kameraden von altem Schrot und Korn [Soldatenlied]
Musik und Text: Herms Niel
Reichsmusikzug des Reichsarbeitsdienstes | Dirigent: Obermusikzugführer Herms Niel | Gesang: Männerchor
Berlin, 1939

Lieber Schatz, wenn ich von dir geh’ [Flieger-Marsch]
Musik: Wiga Gabriel | Text: Franz Baumann
Reichsmusikzug des Reichsarbeitsdienstes | Dirigent: Obermusikzugführer Herms Niel | Gesang: Männerchor
Berlin, 1939


Here's one very rare RAD record:

Wir sind Kameraden von altem Schrot und Korn is a 1939 song of the "old school" comrades loyal to "great Leader" (Hitler), defending their country... Wir dienen treu dem Führer für seinen Volkes Ehr! Very catchy tune, typical Niel's: it starts in a march tempo, soon to be changed in a faster, jolly one. Song has 3 strophes, Niel recorded them all here.

Lieber Schatz, wenn ich von dir geh’ is a 1937 song of a German pilot, who leaves his girlfriend (due to a duty call); a bit sad song, but still optimistic. Like previous, it also starts in a stiff march tempo, but then it's being changed in a sad melody and finally- happy one. It perfectly folows the lyrics: Lieber Schatz, wenn ich von dir geh', lieber Schatz, dann tut das Herz mir weh, doch bleibt mich treu das große Fliegerglück, kehr' ich zu dir zurück! It has 6 strophes, Niel recorded 1st and 3rd.

"Wiga Gabriel" was pseudonym of Wilhelm (Ernst Karl) Gabriel (born: 08.08.1897 in Berlin-Charlottenburg; died: 21.04.1964 in Berlin), composer from Berlin and author of some of the greatest III Reich hits, like "Sie hieß Marie und treu war sie" (also recorded by Niel's Reichsmusikzug des RAD). Gabriel's biggest hit is without a doubt waltz "In München steht ein Hofbräuhaus" (lyrics by Klaus S. Richter), which can be often heard today as well, especially during the famous Oktoberfest. One rarely known fact about Gabriel is that he also used pseudonym "Rolf Hildebrandt", under which he created in 1933 song "Wenn die SS und die SA aufmarschiert"; real "crazy tune", as I like to call it, recorded in the same "crazy manner" by SA-Sturm 33 & Woitschach, the same year; Gabriel was not a member of NSDAP.

Photo: Wilhelm Gabriel, 1935

Wiga-Gabriel.jpg

[Ivan Ž.]

Grammophon-E-11448.jpg

Fallschirmjägerlied (Rot scheint die Sonne)
Musik und Text: Oberjäger Friedrich Schäfer
Reichsmusikzug des Reichsarbeitsdienstes | Dirigent: Obermusikzugführer Herms Niel | Gesang: Soldatenchor
Berlin, 1940

Marsch der Gebirgsjäger
Musik und Text: Soldat Karl-Heinz Räntzsch
Reichsmusikzug des Reichsarbeitsdienstes | Dirigent: Obermusikzugführer Herms Niel | Gesang: Soldatenchor
Berlin, 1940


Two excellent songs of German army's elite forces, both written and composed by their members, ordinary soldiers - a Fallschirmjäger (Oberjäger Friedrich Schäfer) and a Gebirgsjäger (Soldat Karl-Heinz Räntzsch). Both songs were created during the invasion of the Low Countries, 1940.

Fallschirmjägerlied, or "Das Lied der Fallschirmjäger" (also "Fallschirmschützenlied"), was the main song of German paratroopers, very popular at the time, but after the war as well; it was included in newsreels, recorded by all leading military bands and sung during all campaigns (with minor adjustments: part "im Westen" was changed into "im Osten", or "im Süden"). It is quite amazing how Oberjäger Schäfer managed to perfectly describe feelings of a paratrooper, from the moment he leaves the ground, until the landing - by both melody and lyrics - and all that in only 3 strophes; every strophe begins in a slow tempo, reminding of flying in an airplane (it could be very easily played as waltz as well); in these parts listener truely gets inside a paratrooper's mind, carried by his wondering thoughts; but then the "wake up call" follows in every refrain: In die Maschinen!... Schnell wird gelandet!... An die Gewehre!... The Soldatenchor failed in this recording, in my opinion; they sound quite bad - as they had a hangover while singing this song ...which will soon disappear - right in time for the following masterpiece...

Marsch der Gebirgsjäger is definitely one of the very best recordings made during the III Reich period (for an unknown reason to me, it was never even close popular as previous song); Niel opened it with a long instrumental intro - which he stopped doing 2 years before (at that time most of his recordings began with instr. intros; he switched to instrumental endings in 1940); every second of this track was perfectly performed, by both band and choir. Song was very likely created during the invasion of Norway; its main motive is "Edelweiß": for soldier's girl only a flower, but for a Gebirgsjäger - symbol of bravery and courage... Wo rauh der Bergwind weht, ein kleines Blümlein steht, das kleine Edel- Edel- Edelweiß!

Reichsmusikzug des RAD recorded all strophes of the first song and only first strophe with refrain in second (out of original 3).

[HeadHunter131]

Here a nice record from 1934:

"Unter Kameraden" Soldatenlieder-Potpourri
Erwin Hartung + Chor

Many soldier songs nice sung and performed.

Grammophon-C-1493.jpg

[HeadHunter131]

Here a very nice record, one of the best from my collection.
Many very famous marching songs.
Very nice performed and sung. I think it´s my favourite record from marching music.

Unter Kameraden! (Marschpotpourri)
Played by Orchester Erich Schneidewind
Gesang: Die vier lustigen Jungens

Kristall-1552.jpg

[Ivan Ž.]

Hello, "HeadHunter131"

I agree, this is indeed a fantastic medley! There's also Otto Kermbach's Gloria-version (this time sung by Alexander Flessburg & choir), Eugen Jahn's Tempo-version (currently on an eBay auction, if you're interested), Carl Woitschach's Telefunken-version, etc...

Here two interesting recordings from 1938:

Panzerlied(Obs stürmt oder schneit) very famous (with Heyn-Quartett)
Es ist so schön Soldat zu sein (played by Reichsmusikzug des RAD)

That is a fine record indeed (mostly quite expensive today). This "Es ist so schön, Soldat zu sein" is definitely the best recording of the song. It was originally released on Grammophon C 2768. Recorded on 29.03.1938. "Ob’s stürmt oder schneit" isn't that good, but it is interesting. Recorded on 08.06.1938. Btw, conductor Friedrich Täger was also a composer; for example, Friedrich Ahlers recorded his march "Treueschwur".

[Ivan Ž.]

Grammophon-E-10778.jpg

Der Mai ist gekommen (Mailiedermarsch)
Zusammenstellung: Wilhelm Lindemann
Reichsmusikzug des Reichsarbeitsdienstes | Dirigent: Obermusikzugführer Herms Niel | Gesang: Männerchor
Berlin, 1938

Inhalt:
- Hinaus in die Ferne | Musik: Albert Methfessel
- Alles neu, macht der Mai | Musik: Trad.
- Der Mai ist gekommen | Musik: Justus Wilhelm Lyra | Text: Emanuel Geibel
- Es war in Schöneberg, im Monat Mai | Musik: Walter Kollo

Freut Euch des Lebens [Marsch]
Musik: Lützow | Trio: Hans Georg Nägeli
Musikkorps des Infanterie-Lehr-Bataillons der Infanterie-Schule, Döberitz | Dirigent: Obermusikmeister Bendix Tumforde
Berlin, 1936


Mailiedermarsch is the work of famous composer/ arranger Wilhelm Lindemann (born: 05.04.1882 in Berlin; died: 08.12.1941 in Berlin), author of well-known songs-medleys, such as "Ich hatt' einen Kameraden", "In der Heimat, da gibt's ein Wiederseh'n", etc. Chorus sung 2 strophes; excellent recording, same as all other previous RAD's. Song "Der Mai ist gekommen" was composed by Justus Wilhelm Lyra (1822-1882), lyrics were written by Emanuel Geibel (1815-1884) in 1835.

Freut euch des Lebens, in III Reich period also known as "Das KdF-Lied" (KdF = NS movement "Kraft durch Freude"), was composed by Hans Georg Nägeli (born: 16.05.1773 in Wetzikon; died: 26.12.1836 in Zürich), lyrics were written in 1793 by Johann Martin Usteri (born: 14.02.1763 in Zürich; died: 29.07.1827 in Rapperswil). Tumforde's band recorded here a march-version, originally released 2 years earlier, on Grammophon C 2400. Note: at the time when this march was recorded (1936), band's unit was still a battalion; in 1938, when it was copied on this record, unit was already a regiment (that's the reason of it being credited as such here).

[Ivan Ž.]

Grammophon-C-2768.jpg

Es ist so schön, Soldat zu sein [Marschlied]
Musik und Text: Herms Niel
Reichsmusikzug des Reichsarbeitsdienstes | Dirigent: Obermusikzugführer Herms Niel | Gesang: Männerchor
Berlin, 1938

Tschingta, tschingta, Bummtara [Marschlied]
Musik und Text: Herms Niel
Reichsmusikzug des Reichsarbeitsdienstes | Dirigent: Obermusikzugführer Herms Niel | Gesang: Männerchor
Berlin, 1938


The same songs Niel recorded for Kristall, previously presented in this thread - only much, much better! As I already mentioned, this Es ist so schön, Soldat zu sein is without a doubt The best version of the song (copied on Grammophon C 2784, presented here by "HeadHunter131"). Fantastic recording.
MP3 sample (40 sec): http://rapidshare.com/files/83222469/Es ... e.mp3.html

Tschingta, Tschingta, Bummtara is excellent as well, with lots whistling and a bit of shouting as well (imitation of rooster's "kikriki!"). Chorus sung first 2 strophes (out of 3) in both songs - perfectly

[Ivan Ž.]

Imperial-19190.jpg

Übers Meer! (Alo Ahe)
Musik: Königin Lili’uokalani | Bearbeitung: Carl-Josef Trümper | Text: Rudolf Zurth
Matrosenchor der Marine-Stabskompanie beim Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine | Dirigent: Stabsoberfeldwebel Carl-Josef Trümper
Berlin, 1941

Finster ist die Nacht [Matrosenlied]
Musik und Text: unbekannt
Matrosenchor der Marine-Stabskompanie beim Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine | Dirigent: Stabsoberfeldwebel Carl-Josef Trümper
Berlin, 1941


Übers Meer is another German variation to the famous Hawaiian melody of "Aloha 'oe", composed by the last reigning queen of Hawaii, Lili'uokalani (born: 02.09.1838; died: 11.11.1917); arranged in 1941 by conductor Carl-Josef Trümper (born: 02.01.1892 in Dortmund; died: 01.09.1957 in Duisburg), lyrics written by Rudolf Zurth. Fine and nostalgic song (3 strophes recorded).

Photo: Lili'uokalani, Queen of Hawaii

liliuokalani.jpg

Finster ist die Nacht (a.k.a. "Dunkel ist die Nacht") is a very nice old song, about a sailor, who has sailed all over the world, met girls of all colours, "brown, black and yellow", but always remained faithful to his "one and only" Marie in Hamburg, Reeperbahn. Matrosenchor sung 2 strophes here; song ends with sailor asking his captain for a vacation, so he could see again his beloved Homeland (and his girl): Schön wie ein Roman ist der Ozean, aber noch viel schöner ist die Reeperbahn... This melody was also used in "Der schwere Kanonier" ("Es ist stille Nacht..."), song written during the Spanish Civil War by Unteroffizier Lorenz, who fought there with his battery (IV/ AR 50).

[HeadHunter131]

Here a nice record from Gloria:

Schön blühn die Heckenrosen-Marschlied
Die Freude gibt uns Kraft-Marsch

nice performed by Carl Woitschach with Chor.

Gloria-GO-13219.jpg

[behemoth]

I just noticed your posts. Nice records, indeed.

[HeadHunter131]

Here is an interesting record from my collection, difficult to find.
It´s the Horst-Wessel-Lied and Märkische Heide.
S. Sturmbann 12 Untergruppe Ost, Berlin
Dirigent: Musikzugführer Ewers
mit Quartettgesang.
Kristall C 4610 and C 4611

Kristall-2056.jpg

Here you can listen to the song "Märkische Heide":
http://de.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp5yV_41OG0

Maybe someone has additional information.

[Bandsman]

Great posting and the pictures are great! Keep up the good work.

[Staropramen]

Hello everyone! I'm very interested in the music of the Third Reich. I don't collect original shellacs however I do collect the LP vinyl compilations of these 78rpms as well as Third Reich related vinyl in general. Here is a video I made of my collection;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7iL0QAsPt0

[Auceps]

Nobody here will be surprised that the first Musikinspizient of the German Bundeswehr, Oberst Friedrich Deisenroth, in 1956 released an order which forbade all Bundeswehr-Musikkorps [a similar regulation exists for the Polizei- and Bundesgrenzschutz-Musikkorps] to perform this march. This order is still in force today. The only excption made is for so-called "historical concerts" whose purpose is to show the historic development and evolution of military music or the regional particularities of military music. In those cases the march must be performed under its original title Badonviller-Marsch.

The march, however, is not forbidden generally in Germany, civil bands could play it, but in the times of political correctness, it's very unlikely that the march is performed.

So, you will find only very few recordings of Bundeswehr-Musikkorps playing the Badonviller-Marsch.
I have one MC, whose date of production is given by EMI as 1974, on which the Badonviller-Marsch has been recorded by the Musikkorps der 1. Gebirgsdivision under Oberstleutnant Werner Zimmermann.

Today, it would be nearly unthinkable that a Bundeswehr-Musikkorps performs this march.

Da er nach dem Ende der NS-Herrschaft unwillkürlich mit Hitler in Verbindung gebracht wurde, wird das Stück heute aus politischen Gründen von Bundeswehr- und Polizeimusikkorps nicht mehr gespielt. Der erste Leiter des Militärmusikdienstes, Friedrich Deisenroth, hat dies bei der Aufstellung der Musikkorps der Bundeswehr im Jahre 1956 per „Fachdienstlicher Anweisung“ für die Bundeswehr festgelegt. Ausgenommen sind so genannte „Historische Konzerte“, in denen die Entwicklung des Marsches im Allgemeinen sowie die Eigenart landestypischer Märsche aufgezeigt werden soll. Aufführungen müssen allerdings unter dem originalen Titel „Badonviller-Marsch“ erfolgen. Den zivilen Bereich betrifft dieses Verbot nicht.

Source: http://www.preussen1988.de/Lexikon/Marschmusik.htm

The first Musikinspizient der Bundeswehr was Karl Schneider. Deisenroth was Leiter of Stabsmusikkorps, in 1956 he was a Leiter of Heeresmusikkorps 5 (today 300), Koblenz and he never was a Musikinspizient der Bundeswehr (title "Leiter des Militärmusikdienstes" is in use from 1980). The info, that Deisenroth had never recorded this march, is also incorrect. He recorded it and it's one of the best performance I've heard.