Herms Niel & Reichsmusikzug des RAD

[Ivan Ž.]

1938

Wir tragen das Vaterland [Marsch]
Composer: Herms Niel
Trio: Wir tragen das Vaterland [Marschlied]/ Composer/Lyricist: Dr. Will Decker
Publisher: Musikverlag Sanssouci [Wilke & Co.], Berlin-Wilmersdorf

I accidentally came across this 1944 newsreel and instantly recognised a Niel-Walden arrangement in it - "Wir tragen das Vaterland":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zukq-Mfyg0M&t=235s (from 3:55 to 4:51)

Featured is only the trio (Decker's song), and a short part of the preceding strain.

I know of one recording of Niel's "Wir tragen das Vaterland" march, an instrumental made for the radio on 27 Jan. 1939 by the Gaumusikzug des RAD, Arbeitsgau XXVII, under Konrad Vogel (and it's possible that's the one used in the film report).

(Reminders: German newsreels used radio recordings; Erich Walden was one of Niel's main arrangers, who also arranged the march in question.)

[reichmusik]

Nice find Ivan, I hear that in several newsreels, a good piece and thank you for who it's contributed to!

[reichmusik]

https://archive.org/details/afrika_202111


Good day. I am here once again, to ask for help in the lyrics to this beautful song (Das Afrikakorps). It has become one of my favourites, unfortunately my German isn't that great, I know some of it, and after months of web searches hasn't done anything. So any help would be greatly appreciated. Special thanks to Musik Damals for his uploads! He has a great collection and been following his uploads in the days before Youtube crack down!

Note that the sound file originates from the collection of our member Alexander B., who shared it online. User Musik Damals just copied and re-uploaded Alexander's file, without crediting the actual record owner - as he did many times before (I wish he'd finally stop doing that).

As per this post, some wonderful user (Alarm Uboat) has posted the lyrics I was looking for on this link. Many thanks to him/her!
On the note of Musik Damals vs Alexander B. I agree credit where due. I haven't seen/heard AlexanderB's direct credit recordings. A link to those of his would be appreciated. As I am building my library, I wish to credit the proper sources. I do thank Musik Damals however in sharing, but yes please quote source.

[Ivan Ž.]

1934

Major Lancelle! [Marsch]
Composer: Herms Niel
Trio: Ich hab' mich ergeben/ Composer: Anonym/ Lyricist: Hans Ferdinand Maßmann
Publisher: Musikverlag Sanssouci [Wilke & Co.], Berlin-Wilmersdorf, 1934

Here's the only known recording of the march "Major Lancelle!", which Niel composed for his new boss in 1934 and recorded four years later for Lindström's Kristall label. In 1934, Otto Lancelle (1885-1941) was the head of the Reichsschule des Deutschen Arbeitsdienstes in Potsdam (in the Neues Palais), where Niel's newly-assigned band originated from. Niel's composition features the folk tune "Ich hab' mich ergeben" in trio; according to Thomas Freitag (author of Niel), it was a favourite of Konstantin Hierl's, the head of the Arbeitsdienst (no info on whether Lancelle shared the same musical preferences).



Now, don't let the different title on the record label fool you It is a Dutch release, and it was relatively common for record companies of the era to release recordings in foreign countries under different titles - translated, or completely made-up ("Supporter-Marsch" was one of the fictional ones). The "Großes Harmonie-Orchester" (i.e. grand brass band) was actually Reichsmusikzug des Reichsarbeitsdienstes, conducted by the composer himself. You can find the same recording listed here, under the same matrix number (KC 26346) and under the correct title.

Lindström, 1938 * with Reichsmusikzug des Reichsarbeitsdienstes

KC 26344 | 2139 | Heute muß ich scheiden vom schönen Märkerland (Niel)
KC 26345 | 2139 | Hannelore (Niel)
KC 26346 | 2138 | Major Lancelle! (Niel)
KC 26347 | 2138 | Heil Nürnberg (Niel)
KC 26348 | 2142 | Kameraden unter'm Spaten (Niel)
KC 26349 | 2142 | Blinkende Spaten (Tittel)

The recording was originally released in Germany on Kristall 2138, as "Lancelle-Marsch", coupled with the march "Heil Nürnberg" - another composition and recording of Niel's. On the Dutch record, Kristal 22082 (notice the spelling with one "L"), it was coupled with Leonhardt's "Alexander-Marsch", a 1933 recording by Blasorchester Carl Woitschach (also credited as "Großes Harmonie-Orchester").

[Alarm_Uboat]

1941

Die Narvik-Jäger [Marschlied]
Composer: Herms Niel
Lyricist: K. Adamus
Publisher: Musikverlag Arthur Parrhysius, Berlin
Opening Line: In Sturmfahrt eilten wir

As far as I know, this song had [at least] 4 stanzas, but to date only 2 stanzas are known about recording. Is there a complete record?

[Ivan Ž.]

There's only one known recording of "Die Narvik-Jäger", made by Niel's buddy Kiesant for Lindström's Kristall label. The song could have been recorded for the radio as well, but there seems to be no info on such a track (wartime radio recording lists appear to be lost).

[Musikus1871]

Hello, I've been wondering for a long time now, if there is any known recording of Niel's voice. In my research I was not able to find any information or a recording. I'd be happy about a reply.
Cheers
Musikus

[Musikus1871]

Hello together,
some time ago I received the record from the attachment, sadly the condition of the record itself and also the condition of the label are extremely bad. The recording is "Es wollt ein Mädchen früh aufsteh'n". The singing starts after quite a long march part.
I would be interested in the title of the record, because I cannot read it anymore and have no idea what it could have said sometime, since the recording is "Es wollt ein Mädchen früh aufsteh'n".
Also the label says "Text von Niel", who is meant by this? Except for an American composer called "Neil", Herms Niel is the only composer that I know with this name.
I hope somebody on here could help me find the exact data about this record.
Cheers, Musikus

PS: The matrix number is 15056 (that's what the label says, on the record itself "SU15056" is pressed) and the Bestell-Nr. is A557

Ultraphon-A-557.jpg

[Ivan Ž.]

Hello, Musikus

See the list of Niel's works: viewtopic.php?f=81&t=94321#p839922

1930

Der grüne Jägersmann [Marsch]
Composer: Hans Ailbout; Herms Niel
Lyricist: Herms Niel
Trio Melody: Es wollt’ ein Mädchen früh aufstehn/ Composer: Anonym
Publisher: Ries & Erler, Berlin
Opening Line: Es wollt’ ein Mädchen früh aufstehn

The solo singer on your record is Luitpolt Ganther. There was also an Ultraphon version by Walter Jurmann (mx no 15023). Both made in 1930.

Note that "Der grüne Jägersmann" was not the same as "Es wollt’ ein Mädchen früh aufstehn". It only started with the same two lines as the old folk song, but then it was continued by the new lyrics written by Niel.

Cheers,
Ivan

[Ivan Ž.]

From Märkische Allgemeine, 23.05.2017

Konzert des Musikzugs der Reichsführerschule des Arbeitsdienstes in preußischen Traditionsuniformen vor den Communs in Potsdam. Quelle: Potsdam-Museum

Another image from the same event, with a better view of Niel and his band this time.

RMZ-RAD-Potsdam-Museum2.jpg

Source: Potsdam Museum, via Potsdam.de

[Musikus1871]

Wow, awesome picture! Thanks, Ivan!

[Auceps]

Hello everyone!

I've scrolled through the topic and haven't seen this photo (sorry if I might have missed it), so here is another photo of Niel during some concert:

10689604.jpg

10689604r.jpg

Source: https://www.akpool.de/ansichtskarten/31 ... -orchester

Cheers,
Auceps

[Musikus1871]

A new photo in my collection that I wanted to share with you:

Herms Niel in Les Sables-d'Olonne 1.jpg

Herms Niel in Les Sables-d'Olonne 2.jpg

"Reichsarbeitsdienstkapelle Herms Niel in Les Sables-d'Olonne" [later added: "zu Besuch (1943)"]

Cheers, Musikus

[Stravaiger]

...Kamerad, wir marschieren im Westen! (Frankreichlied)...

...rather spoilt for choice when looking for these songcards....either the B&W cards by Ross=Verlag, or the larger colourful cards by HORN'S Kunstkarte, as "Das neue Frankreich-Lied"...

Das Frankreichlied.jpg

[Stravaiger]

...Stuka über Afrika!

...I do like it when the image on the songcard is an artist-drawn illustration....

Stuka Afrika.jpg