One of obscure RAD bands that also made commercial recordings was the band of Arbeitsgau IX (Brandenburg-West). It was led by Obermusikzugführer Hermann Wurl (1884-1962), composer of several workers', fanfare and horn marches (see Prieberg's "Handbuch" for the list of his works). The only known (and extremely rare) commercial record that the band made was recorded on 23.10.1934 for the "Gloria" label, Carl Lindström Company (see the scan below; note that at the time, the Reichsarbeitsdienst was known as the NS Arbeitsdienst). The band also made (at least) one recording with the famous RAD band conducted by Herms Niel, for the German radio, on 15.06.1940 (march "Ein Heller und ein Batzen" by Günter Royer, with the well known folk song in trio; I have no info on whether they made more radio recordings together).
Ivan
Hermann Wurl & Gaumusikzug des RAD, Arbeitsgau IX
Re: Hermann Wurl & Gaumusikzug des RAD, Arbeitsgau IX
Note that this is the same kettle drummer as the one seen playing with Niel at the Bayreuth Festival, a couple of months later.
Unless Wurl in the previous photo conducted Niel's band, which is less likely, then Niel possibly borrowed the unique kettle drummer for the festival, or the man simply switched bands.
According to the above photo caption, the kettle drums (which were usually fixed on the ground or carried by horse, in cavalry units) were designed by Hauptamtswalter (RAD Captain) Kirchner, who made them of maple wood (instead of the more common copper), enabling them to be carried by men on foot.
- RAD-Kesselpauker.jpg (223.48 KiB) Viewed 1770 times
Unless Wurl in the previous photo conducted Niel's band, which is less likely, then Niel possibly borrowed the unique kettle drummer for the festival, or the man simply switched bands.
According to the above photo caption, the kettle drums (which were usually fixed on the ground or carried by horse, in cavalry units) were designed by Hauptamtswalter (RAD Captain) Kirchner, who made them of maple wood (instead of the more common copper), enabling them to be carried by men on foot.
Re: Hermann Wurl & Gaumusikzug des RAD, Arbeitsgau IX
Another photo of a RAD kettle drummer (a different one) with portable kettle drums (very similar, but also different than the previously-pictured ones), apparently from the same (Wurl's) band - or from another band from the same Gau (IX). What's confusing is the caption claiming that the band carried its portable kettle drums for the first time on this occasion, yet the photo was taken a year after the previously-posted images. So it's either a different band from the same Gau, or the photo reporter simply made a mistake (regarding the drums being carried for the first time).
From https://www.akg-images.com/
From https://www.akg-images.com/
II. WK - Reichsarbeitsdienst 1941. Das Motiv aus der nationalsozialistischen Propaganda zeigt einen jungen Arbeitsmann des Reichsarbeitsdienstes mit Kesselpauke bei einem Aufmarsch in Berlin, aufgenommen im Juni 1941. Die nationalsozialistische Berichterstattung schreibt am 18.06.1941 auf der Rückseite des Bildes: "Tragbare Kesselpauke beim Reichsarbeitsdienst. Bei dem Vorbeimarsch der Ehrenabteilung des Arbeitsgaues 9 vor dem Führer des rumänischen Arbeitsdienstes General Palangeanu anlässlich der heute Mittag erfolgten Kranzniederlegung am Ehrenmal Unter den Linden, führte das Musikkorps dieser Ehrenabteilung zum ersten Mal eine tragbare Kesselpauke mit."