Review your 78 rpm records (military music)

[behemoth]

Kristall-2056.jpg

Horst-Wessel-Lied (Die Fahne hoch!)
Melody: ?/ Composer: Anonym
Lyricist: Horst Wessel
Arranger: Hans Bajer
Vocal Group: Männerquartett
Instrumental Group: Kapelle des S. Sturmbanns 12, Berlin
Conductor: Musikzugführer Martin Ewers
Recording Date: 1933
Recording Location: Berlin
Record Company: Deutsche Crystalate GmbH, Berlin-Reinickendorf

Märkische Heide [Marsch]
Composer: Paul Lincke
Trio: Brandenburger Lied (Märkische Heide)/ Composer/Lyricist: Gustav Büchsenschütz
Vocal Group: Männerquartett
Instrumental Group: Kapelle des S. Sturmbanns 12, Berlin
Conductor: Musikzugführer Martin Ewers
Recording Date: 1933
Recording Location: Berlin
Record Company: Deutsche Crystalate GmbH, Berlin-Reinickendorf

[Discographical info added by the host.]

[behemoth]

Odeon-O-26361.jpg

Die Landpartie (Wenn die Sonne scheint, Annemarie) [Marschlied]
Composer/Lyricist: Herms Niel
Arranger: Erich Walden
Vocal Group: Die Metropol-Vokalisten, Berlin
Instrumental Group: Musikkorps der Fliegerhorst-Kommandantur Berlin-Staaken
Conductor: Stabsmusikmeister Hasso Boss
Recording Date: 20.10.1939
Recording Location: Berlin, Carl Lindström AG (Schlesische Straße 26-27), Raum II
Record Company: Carl Lindström AG, Berlin

Rosemarie [Marsch und Lied des II. Bataillons des Infanterie-Regiments 61]
Composer: Franz Größmann; Franz Josef Breuer
Lyricist: Wolfgang Wallstab
Vocal Group: Die Metropol-Vokalisten, Berlin
Instrumental Group: Musikkorps der Fliegerhorst-Kommandantur Berlin-Staaken
Conductor: Stabsmusikmeister Hasso Boss
Recording Date: 20.10.1939
Recording Location: Berlin, Carl Lindström AG (Schlesische Straße 26-27), Raum II
Record Company: Carl Lindström AG, Berlin

[Discographical info added by the host.]

[Ivan Ž.]

Electrola-EG-7085.jpg

Im Feldquartier auf hartem Stein (Annemarie) [Soldatenlied]
Composer: Konrad Ramrath
Lyricist: Julius Freund
Arranger [Lyrics]: Willi Best
Vocalist: Wilhelm Strienz
Accordion: Will Glahé
Recording Date: 1940
Recording Location: Berlin
Record Company: Electrola GmbH, Berlin

Antje, mein blondes Kind [Walzerlied]
Composer: Herms Niel
Lyricist: Heinrich Anacker
Vocalist: Wilhelm Strienz
Instrumental Group: Tanzorchester Will Glahé, Berlin
Recording Date: 1940
Recording Location: Berlin
Record Company: Electrola GmbH, Berlin


"Im Feldquartier auf hartem Stein" was originally created in 1907 for the revue "Das muss man seh'n!", composed by Victor Holländer (1866-1940) and written by Julius Freund (1862-1914). When the WWI broke out, song was re-popularized and several new variants were made. The one featured in this record was the most successful one, and it was composed in the first year of the great war as well (1914). This particular melody was composed by Konrad Ramrath (1880-1972) and the new lyrics were written by Willi Best. Lyrics are basically old Julius Freund's, Willi Best changed only a couple of lines. Song originally had three strophes, and all were recorded here. This particular arrangement of the song was also sung in the movie "Cross of Iron". And in this recording of the already mentioned "Antje, mein blondes Kind", the 1st and the 3rd strophe was sung (out of original three).

Ivan Ž.

[Ivan Ž.]

Telefunken-A-10062.jpg

Ade, Polenland [Marschlied]
Melody: Bříza zelená [Pochodová písnička]/ Composer: Karel Vacek
Lyricist: Anonym
Vocal Group: Singschar der Kradschützen-Kompanie der Aufklärungs-Abteilung (mot.) 3, Stahnsdorf
Instrumental Group: Tanzorchester Adalbert Lutter, Berlin
Recording Date: 27.11.1939
Recording Location: Berlin, Sing-Akademie (Unter den Linden 5)
Record Company: Telefunken-Platte GmbH, Berlin

Ach, es liebten sich zwei in der Rosenzeit [Marsch-Foxtrot aus dem Tonfilm „Zwei Welten“]
Composer: Michael Jary
Lyricist: Bruno Balz
Vocal Group: Singschar der Kradschützen-Kompanie der Aufklärungs-Abteilung (mot.) 3, Stahnsdorf
Instrumental Group: Tanzorchester Adalbert Lutter, Berlin
Recording Date: 27.11.1939
Recording Location: Berlin, Sing-Akademie (Unter den Linden 5)
Record Company: Telefunken-Platte GmbH, Berlin


Now, here's a perfect record, one of the very best from the III Reich period. This highly unusual combination of a dance band mixed with a soldiers' chorus, with their at the same time stiff and jolly performance, keeps listener's attention throughout every second of both songs. "Ade, Polenland" ("Ade, Polenland, ade, Weichselstrand...") is a German cover of the Czech song "Bříza zelená" ("Bříza zelená, bříza bílá..."), composed by Karel Vacek (1902-1982); author of the German lyrics remains unknown. It was recorded soon after the campaign in Poland ended and a large part of German troops was leaving it to fight somewhere else. It is a real happy song, with lots of red wine & beer drinking... "Ach, es liebten sich zwei in der Rosenzeit" ("Weißt du noch, wie ich einst zu dir kam...") was composed for the 1939 movie "Zwei Welten"; although the melody is rather jolly, the lyrics are quite sad and speak about a lost summer love. Song originally had two strophes, the 1st one was recorded here. The Jary-Balz duo (Michael Jary, 1906-1988, and Bruno Balz, 1902-1988) was one of the (if not The) most successful in the film/pop music business during the III Reich period. One of their biggest hits was the sailors' song "Das kann doch einen Seemann nicht erschüttern" from the movie "Paradies der Junggesellen" (also 1939). But their mutual career wasn't exactly idyllic and it suffered on several occasions - because of Balz's homosexuality, which wasn't welcomed by the NS regime. Balz was arrested several times by the Gestapo; still, his loyal colleague Jary stood up for his friend and saved him from deportation to a concentration camp.

Ivan Ž.

[Thanks to GregSingh for identifying the "Bříza zelená" song.]

[Ivan Ž.]

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Regimentsgruß [Marsch] [Op. 22] [HM II, 4]
Composer: Heinrich Steinbeck
Instrumental Group: Musikkorps und Spielleute des Wachregiments Berlin
Conductor: Stabsmusikmeister Friedrich Ahlers
Recording Date: 24.02.1938
Recording Location: Berlin, Sing-Akademie (Unter den Linden 5)
Record Company: Telefunken-Platte GmbH, Berlin
Intro: Lockmarsch [Anonym]

Jagdgeschwader-Richthofen-Marsch
Composer: Hans Felix Husadel
Instrumental Group: Musikkorps des Wachregiments Berlin
Conductor: Stabsmusikmeister Friedrich Ahlers
Recording Date: 24.02.1938
Recording Location: Berlin, Sing-Akademie (Unter den Linden 5)
Record Company: Telefunken-Platte GmbH, Berlin


"Regimentsgruß" was composed by Heinrich Steinbeck (1884-1967) in 1927, in Meersburg. An excellent march, one of The most popular in the German army. It was listed in Heeresmärsche in 1934 as Heeresmarsch II, 4. In the III Reich period was used as Parademarsch by SA-Gruppe Thüringen, SA-Standarte "Feldherrnhalle", Wachbataillon der Luftwaffe (Berlin), Panzer-Regiment 3 (Bamberg), Panzertruppenschule 5 (Wünsdorf)... Friedrich Ahlers recorded it twice (this is his 2nd recording). "Jagdgeschwader-Richthofen-Marsch" was composed by Hans Felix Husadel (1897-1964) in 1935 for the first Jagdgeschwader of the Luftwaffe, formed in Döberitz and named after the famous "Red Baron", Manfred von Richthofen (1892-1918). Both marches remained popular until today.

Ivan Ž.

[Ivan Ž.]

Electrola-EG-2843.jpg

Lisa (Des Morgens um halb viere)
Composer/Lyricist: Anonym
Arranger: Albert Muhs
Vocal/Instrumental Group: Soldatenchor der 7. Kompanie und Musikkorps des II. Bataillons des 17. (Preuß.-Braunschw.) Infanterie-Regiments, Göttingen
Conductor: Obermusikmeister Albert Muhs
Recording Date: 1933
Recording Location: Berlin
Record Company: Electrola GmbH, Berlin

Lore, Lore (Des Försters Töchterlein)
Composer/Lyricist: Anonym
Arranger: Albert Muhs
Vocal/Instrumental Group: Soldatenchor der 7. Kompanie und Musikkorps des II. Bataillons des 17. (Preuß.-Braunschw.) Infanterie-Regiments, Göttingen
Conductor: Obermusikmeister Albert Muhs
Recording Date: 1933
Recording Location: Berlin
Record Company: Electrola GmbH, Berlin


Another "Lisa/Lore record", well-performed by Muhs' band. Especially nice is the recording of "Lore, Lore" (which here begins with "In einem grünen Walde..."). For more info on both songs and the conductor/arranger, see previous page...

Ivan Ž.

[Ivan Ž.]

Telefunken-A-2259.jpg

Flandrischer Totentanz (Der Tod von Flandern)
Composer/Lyricist: Anonym
Vocal Group: Singschar der Kradschützen-Kompanie der Aufklärungs-Abteilung (mot.) 3, Stahnsdorf
Instrumental Group: Blasorchester Carl Woitschach, Berlin
Recording Date: 30.06.1937
Recording Location: Berlin, Sing-Akademie (Unter den Linden 5)
Record Company: Telefunken-Platte GmbH, Berlin

Argonnerwald, um Mitternacht (Argonnerlied)
Composer/Lyricist: Anonym
Arranger: Hermann Männecke
Vocal Group: Singschar der Kradschützen-Kompanie der Aufklärungs-Abteilung (mot.) 3, Stahnsdorf
Instrumental Group: Blasorchester Carl Woitschach, Berlin
Recording Date: 30.06.1937
Recording Location: Berlin, Sing-Akademie (Unter den Linden 5)
Record Company: Telefunken-Platte GmbH, Berlin


Two excellent songs from WWI, performed by Carl Woitschach's band under its occasional Telefunken pseudonym, "Blasorchester Kurmark". "Flandrischer Totentanz" ("Der Tod reit' auf einem kohlschwarzen Rappen...") was written by an unknown author in 1917, in Flanders, and was set to an old melody, from XV century. A real death's song, grim and powerful. Chorus sung four strophes - perfectly, as usually. "Argonnerwald, um Mitternacht" is a Pionierlied from 1915. Very popular tune, also used for some of the biggest hits of German political workers' movements - the nazi "SA marschiert" and the communist "Büxensteinlied". Note that it was incorrectly credited here as Männecke's "Argonner-Marsch"; it is indeed Männecke's arrangement of the song, but his march was not played in this recording. Chorus sung three strophes here.

Ivan Ž.

[Ivan Ž.]

Electrola-EG-6820.jpg

Erika (Auf der Heide blüht ein kleines Blümelein) [Marsch- und Soldatenlied]
Composer/Lyricist: Herms Niel
Arranger: Erich Walden
Vocal Group: Heyn-Quartett, Berlin
Instrumental Group: Blasorchester
Conductor: Bruno Seidler-Winkler
Recording Date: 1939
Recording Location: Berlin
Record Company: Electrola GmbH, Berlin

Es ist so schön, Soldat zu sein [Marschlied]
Composer/Lyricist: Herms Niel
Arranger: Gustav Skibbe
Vocal Group: Heyn-Quartett, Berlin
Instrumental Group: Blasorchester
Conductor: Bruno Seidler-Winkler
Recording Date: 1939
Recording Location: Berlin
Record Company: Electrola GmbH, Berlin


This is definitely one of the best Seidler-Winkler's military records I've listened to. Both songs were performed with lots of Tschingderassa-Bummderassa, which was his typical Electrola style for such compositions. This version of already mentioned "Erika" has an excellent, bombastic instrumental ending (with constant synchronized bass drum & cymbals accompaniment), very similar to the one recorded after the war by Heinz Winkel's police band for Telefunken. The 1st and the 3rd strophe recorded. "Es ist so schön, Soldat zu sein" is a perfect continuation of the previous song and it begins in the same style "Erika" ends. Only the 1st strophe has been sung - which leaves us to enjoy in more of Seidler-Winkler's instrumental performance.

Ivan Ž.

[Ivan Ž.]

Grammophon-E-11371.jpg

Es blitzen die stählernen Schwingen [Marsch und Lied]
Composer: Herms Niel
Lyricist: Heinrich Anacker
Arranger: Arno Hildebrand
Vocal Group: Soldatenchor
Instrumental Group: Reichsmusikzug des Reichsarbeitsdienstes, Potsdam-Golm
Conductor: Obermusikzugführer Herms Niel
Recording Date: 24.09.1940
Recording Location: Berlin, Central-Theater (Alte Jakobstraße 30-32)
Record Company: Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

Michel, horch, der Seewind pfeift! [Marsch und Lied]
Composer: Herms Niel
Lyricist: Gottfried Schwab
Arranger: Erich Walden
Vocal Group: Soldatenchor
Instrumental Group: Reichsmusikzug des Reichsarbeitsdienstes, Potsdam-Golm
Conductor: Obermusikzugführer Herms Niel
Recording Date: 24.09.1940
Recording Location: Berlin, Central-Theater (Alte Jakobstraße 30-32)
Record Company: Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin


Two perfectly performed songs, both created for the Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine units fighting at the North Sea in 1940. "Es blitzen die stählernen Schwingen" is a song of German flyers fighting the "Tommies" [German nickname for the Brits], in "Boelcke's and von Richthofen's spirit" [German WWI flying aces], as the song says. It has four strophes, Niel recorded the 1st, 2nd and 4th. This song is today known online mostly under a fictional title "Jagdfliegerlied", which was never used in reality (in fact, at the time, song was mostly related to German bombers). "Michel, horch, der Seewind pfeift!" is an old North Sea song, written by Gottfried Schwab (1851-1903) in 1900, and re-composed by Herms Niel in 1940 for the new German Navy, fighting again at the same place. Song (Niel's version) has three strophes, Soldatenchor sung all of them.

Ivan Ž.

[HeadHunter131]

Here is an interesting record from my collection.

Die Fahne hoch/Märkische Heide played by Großes Blasorchester Carl Woitschach and Choir from Sturm 33 (Hans Maikowski)

I don´t know if this record is rare, but the condition is very good like fresh from the shop.

Do you or anybody know the value of the record?

Telefunken-A-1364.jpg

Horst-Wessel-Lied (Die Fahne hoch!)
Melody: ?/ Composer: Anonym
Lyricist: Horst Wessel
Arranger: Carl Woitschach
Vocal Group: Chor des SA-Sturms 33 und Mitglieder der SA-Standarte 1, Berlin
Instrumental Group: Blasorchester Carl Woitschach, Berlin
Recording Date: 05.04.1933
Recording Location: Berlin, Sing-Akademie (Unter den Linden 5)
Record Company: Telefunken-Platte GmbH, Berlin

Märkische Heide [Marsch]
Composer: Paul Lincke
Trio: Brandenburger Lied (Märkische Heide)/ Composer/Lyricist: Gustav Büchsenschütz
Vocal Group: SA-Chor, Berlin
Instrumental Group: Kapelle der SA-Gruppe Berlin-Brandenburg
Conductor: Musikzugführer Johannes Fuhsel
Recording Date: 23.03.1933
Recording Location: Berlin, Sing-Akademie (Unter den Linden 5)
Record Company: Telefunken-Platte GmbH, Berlin

[Discographical info added by the host.]

[Ivan Ž.]

I don´t know if this record is rare, but the condition is very good like fresh from the shop.
Do you or anybody know the value of the record?

If you were thinking of selling it perhaps, contact Dave ("behemoth") here. He might be interested and he would also know its value better than me, since he's dealing mostly with political records, unlike me...

Thanks for posting,
Ivan

[HeadHunter131]

Here is another nice record from my collection:

Odeon-O-26445.jpg

Funkerlied (Alle aufgepaßt!)
Composer/Lyricist: Soldat Bernd Wübbecke
Vocal/Instrumental Group: Die Metropol-Vokalisten, Berlin
Recording Date: 17.01.1941
Recording Location: Berlin, Carl Lindström AG (Schlesische Straße 26-27), Raum II
Record Company: Carl Lindström AG, Berlin

Alpenjägerlied (Narviklied)
Composer: Dr. Werner Kleine
Lyricist: Heinrich Anacker
Vocal/Instrumental Group: Die Metropol-Vokalisten, Berlin
Recording Date: 17.01.1941
Recording Location: Berlin, Carl Lindström AG (Schlesische Straße 26-27), Raum II
Record Company: Carl Lindström AG, Berlin

[Discographical info added by the host.]

[HeadHunter131]

Here are two interesting recordings from 1938:

Grammophon-C-2784.jpg

Panzerwagenlied (Ob’s stürmt oder schneit)
Melody: Luiska-Lied (Weit über den Klippen)/ Composer: Anonym
Lyricist: Oberleutnant Kurt Wiehle
Vocal Group: Heyn-Quartett, Berlin
Instrumental Group: Musikkorps des Panzer-Regiments 5, Wünsdorf
Conductor: Obermusikmeister Friedrich Täger
Recording Date: 08.06.1938
Recording Location: Berlin, Lützowstraße 111-112
Record Company: Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

Es ist so schön, Soldat zu sein [Marschlied]
Composer/Lyricist: Herms Niel
Arranger: Gustav Skibbe
Vocal Group: Männerchor
Instrumental Group: Reichsmusikzug des Reichsarbeitsdienstes, Potsdam-Golm
Conductor: Obermusikzugführer Herms Niel
Recording Date: 29.03.1938
Recording Location: Berlin, Lützowstraße 111-112
Record Company: Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

[Discographical info added by the host.]

[Ivan Ž.]

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Wir sind Kameraden [Marschlied]
Composer/Lyricist: Herms Niel
Arranger: Gustav Skibbe
Vocal Group: Männerquartett
Instrumental Group: Reichsmusikzug des Reichsarbeitsdienstes, Potsdam-Golm
Conductor: Obermusikzugführer Herms Niel
Recording Date: 1939
Recording Location: Berlin
Record Company: Tempo-Schallplatten GmbH, Berlin-Wilmersdorf

Lieber Schatz, wenn ich von dir geh’ [Fliegermarsch]
Composer: Wiga-Gabriel
Lyricist: Franz Baumann
Vocal Group: Männerquartett
Instrumental Group: Reichsmusikzug des Reichsarbeitsdienstes, Potsdam-Golm
Conductor: Obermusikzugführer Herms Niel
Recording Date: 1939
Recording Location: Berlin
Record Company: Tempo-Schallplatten GmbH, Berlin-Wilmersdorf


Here's a very rare RAD record; "Wir sind Kameraden" ("Ja, wir sind Kameraden von altem Schrot und Korn...") is a 1939 song of the "old school" comrades, loyal to "great Leader" (Hitler). Originally composed as a march and song, but here performed just as a marching song (a short part of what was usually the march-intro was played here in the middle of the recording). Lyrics of the song are rather unusual for early 1939, when it was indeed composed and recorded. "We are the country's defense"... "fighting further, year after year..." "we want peace..." Sounds like a typical German early WWII song - and yet it is not. Still, it's a very catchy tune, typical Niel's - it starts in a march-tempo, soon to be changed to a faster, jolly one. Song has three strophes and all were recorded here. "Lieber Schatz, wenn ich von dir geh’" ("Wenn sich im Sturm die Propeller dreh’n...") is a 1938 song, composed by Wiga-Gabriel (Wilhelm Gabriel, 1897-1964) and written by Franz Baumann (1890-1965), about a German pilot who leaves his girlfriend due to a duty call; a bit sad song, but still optimistic. It has six strophes, Niel recorded the 1st and 3rd. This piece was originally created as a common marching song (not flyers') in 1937; lyrics were similar, but not identical (the initial variant started with "Weine nicht, Mädel, die Welt ist schön..."); Baumann wrote those lyrics under the pseudonym Franz L. Berthold. It was adapted to a flyers' march and song in 1938. Recording of the 1937 version exists as well.

Ivan Ž.

[Ivan Ž.]

Grammophon-E-11448.jpg

Das Lied der Fallschirmjäger
Composer/Lyricist: Oberjäger Friedrich Schäfer
Arranger: Willi Lachner
Vocal Group: Soldatenchor
Instrumental Group: Reichsmusikzug des Reichsarbeitsdienstes, Potsdam-Golm
Conductor: Obermusikzugführer Herms Niel
Recording Date: 24.06.1940
Recording Location: Berlin, Central-Theater (Alte Jakobstraße 30-32)
Record Company: Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

Marsch der Gebirgsjäger (Es steht ein kleines Edelweiß)
Composer/Lyricist: Jäger Karl-Heinz Räntzsch
Vocal Group: Soldatenchor
Instrumental Group: Reichsmusikzug des Reichsarbeitsdienstes, Potsdam-Golm
Conductor: Obermusikzugführer Herms Niel
Recording Date: 24.06.1940
Recording Location: Berlin, Central-Theater (Alte Jakobstraße 30-32)
Record Company: Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin


Two excellent songs of the German army's elite forces, both written and composed by their members, ordinary soldiers - a Fallschirmjäger (Oberjäger Friedrich Schäfer) and a Gebirgsjäger (Jäger Karl-Heinz Räntzsch). Both songs were created during the invasion of the Low Countries, 1940. "Das Lied der Fallschirmjäger" ("Rot scheint die Sonne...") was the main song of German paratroopers, extremely popular at the time, and after the war as well; it was included in newsreels and films and recorded many times, and by leading military bands. The melody is quite amazing, especially considering the author was not a professional musician; he perfectly described the flying atmosphere and feelings of a paratrooper, from the moment he leaves the ground, until the landing - by both melody and lyrics. Every strophe begins in a a slow tempo, with a soothing melody which slowly rises - just like an airplane (this part could be very easily played as waltz as well); and then the "wake up call" follows in every refrain: In die Maschinen!... Schnell wird gelandet!... An die Gewehre!... A true military musical masterpiece. However, this particular version is rather bad. Both orchestra and chorus sound as if they had a hangover. They should have played it in a lower register; the one they chose was too high for the chorus, which clearly struggled to pull it off. Song has three strophes; all recorded [note: an additional strophe (starting with "Gleich aus dem Sprunge...") was written and recorded for the 1942 paratrooper documentary "Sprung in den Feind"]. "Marsch der Gebirgsjäger" ("Es steht ein kleines, kleines Edelweiß...") is definitely one of the very best recordings made during the III Reich period (strangely enough, the song itself was never even close as popular as the previous one). Every second of this track was perfectly performed, by both band and chorus. Song was very likely created during the invasion of Norway; it has three strophes and the 1st one was recorded here.

Ivan Ž.