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Alexander B.
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Grammophon 2 25271

#166

Post by Alexander B. » 12 Mar 2020, 20:33

Ivan,

Some wonderful new information! I'm always so blown away with your knowledge! You are really bringing this content back to life. Have you ever thought about teaching at a University? I really think someone could write their PhD thesis based on all the information you have recovered! Maybe if I ever write a PhD thesis it will be on the things we talk about here!

I am listening more and more for signals and other older melodies in Niels music and other compositions and its amazing just how many are to be found now that I'm listening! Its a real treat.

I'm a little sad to find out that its not a real Wandervogel orchestra! It would have made a real historical curiosity; but, this answer is making far more sense than the alternative!

Is it known what Niels version of "Vorwärts nach Osten!" Would have sounded like, or is this lost to history?

For my next post, unfortunately I have nothing too terribly exciting; but, maybe something a bit hard to find these days.

Here we have Grammophon 2 25271.
On side A is "Unser der Sieg - Unser die Macht", a speech from a "Kurt Klawitter" celebrating the victory of the National Socialist movement and the German people over their perceived ills, such as hunger and despair, joblessness, and disenfranchisement, and also speaking of the sadness of those who were lost in the quest for victory. Imposed over the speech are a few well known National Socialist songs and also "Ich hatt' einen Kameraden". Its a really interesting speech that I had not heard before I owned this record. I don't know if it was just produced for Grammophon or not, as I couldn't find any info about the speaker or his speech online.

On side B we have the well known "Triumphmarsch der erwachten Nation" performed by an orchestra under Engel and sung by a group from Sturm 65/7 "Horst Wessel". Its extremely well performed and its definitely understandable that this is the song that has been most copied off of this record. Again, a song celebrating the National Socialist victory and the victory of the German people, proclaiming that their day has come, they will never go backwards, and that from this day forward in the 3rd Reich there will be a rebirth of "freedom, unity, and justice". A really troubling thing to hear as we all know what happened afterwards....

Overall quality is wonderful. Both recordings are historically interesting; however, only one of them is truly a song. I would recommend it for people who are very interested in the politics of the 3rd Reich.

Some exciting new things are in the works!

Until next time.
Alex

Grammophon-2-25271.jpg
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Ivan Ž. wrote:
Unser der Sieg - Unser die Macht [Melodram]
Montager/Writer: Kurt Klawitter
Reciter: Kurt Klawitter
Vocal Group: Chor des SA-Sturms 3/12, Berlin
Instrumental Group: Kapelle des S. Sturmbanns 12, Berlin; Deutsches Blasorchester, Berlin
Conductor: Musikzugführer Martin Ewers; Pg. Alfred Engel
Recording Date: 1933
Recording Location: Berlin, Lützowstraße 111-112
Record Company: Deutsche Grammophon AG, Berlin

Contents: Wiener Jungarbeiterlied [Mahrer/Hädelmayr], Horst-Wessel-Lied [Anonym/Wessel], Ich hatt’ einen Kameraden [Silcher/Uhland], Horst-Wessel-Lied [Anonym/Wessel]

Triumphmarsch der erwachten Nation
Composer: Paul Pietzner-Clausen
Lyricist: Dr. H. M. Eckert
Arranger: Franz Pollak
Vocal Group: Chor des SA-Sturms 67/5, Berlin
Instrumental Group: Deutsches Blasorchester, Berlin
Conductor: Pg. Alfred Engel
Recording Date: 1933
Recording Location: Berlin, Lützowstraße 111-112
Record Company: Deutsche Grammophon AG, Berlin
[Discographical info added by the host.]

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Re: Grammophon 2 25271

#167

Post by Ivan Ž. » 14 Mar 2020, 15:51

Hello, Alex

Thanks for the kind words :) It's not known (to me) whether Niel's version of "Vorwärts nach Osten!" survived, in any form. It's possible.

Now, about the last record - a good and rare find!

Klawitter's track is not a common speech but a melodrama, just like Zander's "Der Sieg der deutschen Nation", which you have on an Odeon record. And the same as Zander, Klawitter incorporated in his piece recordings that were made earlier for the same recording company:
- "Wiener Jungarbeiterlied" by Chor des SA-Sturms 3/12 and Kapelle des S. Sturmbanns 12 under Martin Ewers (matrix no 5324-½ BD 8)
- "Horst-Wessel-Lied", an instrumental version by Deutsches Blasorchester under Alfred Engel (matrix no 5271-½ BD 8)
- "Ich hatt’ einen Kameraden", an instrumental version by Kapelle des S. Sturmbanns 12 under Martin Ewers (matrix no 5302 BD 8)
- "Horst-Wessel-Lied" again (the same version)
UdS-UdM.jpg
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A note regarding "Triumphmarsch der erwachten Nation": as I mentioned before, the piece was initially entitled "Triumphmarsch der NSDAP" (see the 1932 record Patria 119, matrix no C 967); after the Nazis seized power, the "NSDAP" part was replaced with "erwachten Nation".

Cheers,
Ivan


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Electrola EG 2934

#168

Post by Ivan Ž. » 12 May 2020, 16:08

Electrola-EG-2934.jpg
Electrola-EG-2934.jpg (319.58 KiB) Viewed 6807 times

Großer Kriegsmarsch aus „Rienzi“ 1. Teil
Composer: Richard Wagner
Instrumental Group: Musikzug der SS-Standarte 15, Berlin
Conductor: Musikzugführer Paul Hellmann
Recording Date: 10.11.1933
Recording Location: Berlin
Record Company: Electrola GmbH, Berlin

Großer Kriegsmarsch aus „Rienzi“ 2. Teil
Composer: Richard Wagner
Instrumental Group: Musikzug der SS-Standarte 15, Berlin
Conductor: Musikzugführer Paul Hellmann
Recording Date: 10.11.1933
Recording Location: Berlin
Record Company: Electrola GmbH, Berlin



A rare (the only one known to me) commercial record with a Richard Wagner piece performed by an SS band (not counting the two LSSAH recordings of Sonntag's "Nibelungenmarsch", based on the motifs from Wagner's "Ring"). The famous Wagner's 1842 opera "Rienzi" (Cola Rienzi, medieval Roman revolutionary) was the favourite opera of Adolf Hitler's, who attended one of its performances in his youth and was, apparently, deeply affected by it. According to his youth friend August Kubizek, years later, right before the outbreak of WWII, Hitler stated in a conversation with Wagner's daughter-in-law (Winifred) that it was that performance of "Rienzi" when "it all began" (In jener Stunde begann es - referring to his plans for Germany). Hitler also got the original score of the opera, for his 50th birthday (1939), which he took with him at the end of the war to his bunker, where its traces disappear (just like Hitler's). On this record, the band of SS-Standarte 15 led by Paul Hellmann (future bandmaster of the SS-Regiment "Germania") performed the "Großer Kriegsmarsch" (Grand War March) from the Finale of Act III. Hellmann previously used an excerpt from this piece as intro in his recording of the Hitler Youth anthem "Uns're Fahne flattert uns voran!" (Electrola EG 2850), identifying Hitler's struggle with Rienzi's (as Hitler also did himself).

Cheers,
Ivan

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Electrola EG 7089

#169

Post by Eccu » 10 Mar 2021, 20:56

Hello!

I recently got this addition to my German records: "Flandern-Marsch"/Scapa Flow-Marsch (Otto Eichler) Musikkorps der "Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler" (H. Müller-John.)

I'm certainly thrilled that I found this record. I've never seen this exact record anywhere, not even in the Discografia of H. Müller-John so I'm wondering if anyone has any info about these songs? Also I'm interested if someone has anything to say about the value of this record. I'm sure it would be a great auction piece because of LSSAH.

I apologize for the bad quality of the photos. I don't have the access to a photoscanner at the moment.

EDIT: After some searching I did find more information about record. Thank you anyways.
viewtopic.php?f=81&t=129087&p=2246146&h ... w#p2246146

Electrola EG 7089 Eccu.jpg

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Alexander B.
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Re:

#170

Post by Alexander B. » 06 May 2021, 02:40

Ivan Ž. wrote:
14 Mar 2020, 15:51
Hello, Alex

Thanks for the kind words :) It's not known (to me) whether Niel's version of "Vorwärts nach Osten!" survived, in any form. It's possible.

Now, about the last record - a good and rare find!

Klawitter's track is not a common speech but a melodrama, just like Zander's "Der Sieg der deutschen Nation", which you have on an Odeon record. And the same as Zander, Klawitter incorporated in his piece recordings that were made earlier for the same recording company:
- "Wiener Jungarbeiterlied" by Chor des SA-Sturms 3/12 and Kapelle des S. Sturmbanns 12 under Martin Ewers (matrix no 5324-½ BD 8)
- "Horst-Wessel-Lied", an instrumental version by Deutsches Blasorchester under Alfred Engel (matrix no 5271-½ BD 8)
- "Ich hatt’ einen Kameraden", an instrumental version by Kapelle des S. Sturmbanns 12 under Martin Ewers (matrix no 5302 BD 8)
- "Horst-Wessel-Lied" again (the same version)

A note regarding "Triumphmarsch der erwachten Nation": as I mentioned before, the piece was initially entitled "Triumphmarsch der NSDAP" (see the 1932 record Patria 119, matrix no C 967); after the Nazis seized power, the "NSDAP" part was replaced with "erwachten Nation".
Dearest Ivan,

I'm sorry to have promised you a return around Christmas time and to have not delivered, I've ended up being incredibly busy with school and am even now fighting with some pretty difficult exams. Right now I've finished 3, with another 14 to go! hopefully the rollercoaster ends sooner rather than later!

However, I have found some time to finally respond.

Firstly, you are welcome for the kind words, which are very well deserved!

I hope that Niels version of "Vorwärts nach Osten!" has survived in some form, it would be wonderful to see what his vision was for it compared to the chosen version from Schultze. Though they were both great artists, I can hardly believe that anything Niel came up with could have been bested! He wrote some amazing pieces.

Thank you very much for your comments on my copy of Grammophon 2 25271, especially big thanks goes to you for the detailed information as always, you always deliver! Just as I suspected, the B side contains another melodrama!

Its very interesting to see the records that the original recordings would have come from. Would you believe that I still don't have a a copy of Ich hatt' einen Kameraden aside from my Radiofunken pirate record!?

I have heard about the original title of the "Triumphmarsch der erwachten Nation", its interesting how quickly things were shifting in Germany at the time.
Ivan Ž. wrote:
12 May 2020, 16:08

A rare (the only one known to me) commercial record with a Richard Wagner piece performed by an SS band (not counting the two LSSAH recordings of Sonntag's "Nibelungenmarsch", based on the motifs from Wagner's "Ring"). The famous Wagner's 1842 opera "Rienzi" (Cola Rienzi, medieval Roman revolutionary) was the favourite opera of Adolf Hitler's, who attended one of its performances in his youth and was, apparently, deeply affected by it. According to his youth friend August Kubizek, years later, right before the outbreak of WWII, Hitler stated in a conversation with Wagner's daughter-in-law (Winifred) that it was that performance of "Rienzi" when "it all began" (In jener Stunde begann es - referring to his plans for Germany). Hitler also got the original score of the opera, for his 50th birthday (1939), which he took with him at the end of the war to his bunker, where its traces disappear (just like Hitler's). On this record, the band of the 15th SS-Standarte led by Paul Hellmann (future bandmaster of the SS-Regiment "Germania") performed the "Großer Kriegsmarsch" (Grand War March) from the Finale of Act III. Hellmann previously used an excerpt from this piece as intro in his recording of the Hitler Youth anthem "Uns're Fahne flattert uns voran!" (Electrola EG 2850), identifying Hitler's struggle with Rienzi's (as Hitler also did himself).
Regarding your beautiful copy of Electrola EG 2934:

It is indeed rare, as I've never even heard of it! I don't know much about opera in general and need to brush up on my Wagner history, though! I did not know that Wagner's Rienzi was the favorite opera of Hitler, nor did I even know that Hitler had a favorite opera! It is interesting that he was so moved by Rienzi and that he derived so many of his ideals from it and identified Rienzi with himself, though I don't find it so surprising knowing the synopsis of the opera, with a populist figure overcoming the nobles in order to give power to the people. It is quite puzzling to me, though, that he did not take heed of Rienzi's ending, with everything going up in flames!

It is sad to hear that the original score was lost at the end of the war. Maybe some day it will resurface. I can't believe it would have been burned or discarded. As you say, its traces simply disapear along with Hitler...

Unfortunately I do not believe that I have ever heard the Electrola EG 2850 version of "Uns're Fahne flattert uns voran!", so I can't comment much on the inclusion of the excerpt by Hellmann.

All wonderfully researched, Ivan. Bravo as always.

With regards
Alexander

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Alexander B.
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Telefunken M 6744

#171

Post by Alexander B. » 06 May 2021, 03:56

Returning Ivan's gift of a wonderful and rare submission, I would like to add another record to our review list.

Today I present to you all Telefunken M 6744. This is the only copy that I have personally seen, although I do know that some more exist, as there are recordings of both tracks floating around online.

On side A we have "Wir kommen wieder", a march accredited to "Schmidseder, Schmidt-Boelcke, Hentschke and Schwenn" what a mouthfull. I've never heard of one piece involving so many different contributors before. Maybe you have some clarifying information, Ivan? I recognize the names of all 4 composers but don't understand what they were doing working together on this one.

"Wir kommen wieder" is a song about the return of the German armed forces, victorious from their battles, as the winners of the war, marching through the Brandenburg Gate, with flags waving, all the people crying with joy, and of course, plenty of beautiful women leaning out of their windows to see them. When you consider what the reality and fate was for many young German soldiers of the era, and the true fate of Germany, it ends up being a pretty bitter song.

Many people have heard a more common recording of "Wir kommen wieder" which I do not know the origin of, that one has a much more "dancy"/"popular music" feel to it, while this variant is sung as more of a rough march song, as stated on the label.

The lyrical contents of the more well known version are also slightly different. In the Musikus version, not as many verses are sung as in the popular online version (the last verse is omitted), and during the listing of different contingents of the German armed forces, the groups listed are minimally different. In the well known online version the song names "Infanterie" instead of "Landser" and "Rußlandsieger" instead of "Frankreichsieger" like in this version. A curious change in lyrics, its possible that this recording is older than the popular online one and predates the invasion of Russia.

On side "B" we encounter "Der Marsch der 80 Millionen" a basically forgotten song about the 80 million (most likely the combined Greater-German population at the time) coming together to light a flame and bring the future forward, with everyone wanting to be a part of it. I'm sure that there were indeed many people who were not interested in joining with them to construct that sort of future, but that wasn't the status quo!

It was composed by E. Popp-Köhler and Günther Schwenn. With Schwenn being a composer of the work on side A, it seems that his involvement in both songs was the reason for their pairing here.

I have to admit that I'm having some trouble understanding some parts of the song, the lyrics are a little hard to make out in some passages, so I can't give much more detail than that at the moment.

In any case, both songs are performed here by the "Chor und Musikkorps der 1. Abteilung des Flak-Regiments Nr. 12, Lankwitz" under the direction of "Musikmeister Hans Holländer" I've never come across any other recordings by them myself. Maybe somebody else knows of some others?

Although the instrumental performances are rock solid on both recordings, the vocals on the "A" side with "Wir kommen wieder" are a little weak and seem wrong for the piece being presented, simply a little too stiff for a song that is supposed to be full of joy. I can definitely understand why the other version of this piece is more commonly encountered online. On the other hand, the choir really redeems itself on the "B" side with "Der Marsch der 80 Millionen" where their stiff and militaristic performance is much more appropriate and fitting.

I'd recommend this recording if you come across it, both for its rarity, and for the presentation of two seldom heard songs.

With regards from Germany
Alex

Telefunken-M-6744.jpg
Ivan Ž. wrote:
Wir kommen wieder [Marschlied]
Composer: Ludwig Schmidseder
Lyricist: Heinz Hentschke; Günther Schwenn
Arranger: Werner Schmidt-Boelcke
Instrumental/Vocal Group: Musikkorps und Soldatenchor der I. Abteilung des Flak-Regiments 12, Berlin-Lankwitz
Conductor: Musikmeister Hans Holländer
Recording Date: 12.07.1940
Recording Location: Berlin, Sing-Akademie (Am Festungsgraben 2)
Record Company: Telefunken-Platte GmbH, Berlin

Der Marsch der 80 Millionen
Composer: Estella Popp-Köhler
Lyricist: Günther Schwenn
Instrumental/Vocal Group: Musikkorps und Soldatenchor der I. Abteilung des Flak-Regiments 12, Berlin-Lankwitz
Conductor: Musikmeister Hans Holländer
Recording Date: 12.07.1940
Recording Location: Berlin, Sing-Akademie (Am Festungsgraben 2)
Record Company: Telefunken-Platte GmbH, Berlin
[Discographical info added by the host.]

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Re: Telefunken M 6744

#172

Post by Ivan Ž. » 07 May 2021, 16:23

Hello, Alex

Good to hear from you and thanks for the kind words, as well as for the interesting record and review ;) I've added the discographical info to your post now, so you can understand better who wrote what for each piece, etc.

Notice that "Der Marsch der 80 Millionen" is a rare military/Nazi march composed by a female, Estella Köhler (a.k.a. Estella Popp-Köhler).

I know of three versions of "Wir kommen wieder": the first one is the one you have, recorded after the invasion of France; the other two were recorded after the invasion of Russia (hence the change in the lyrics), for the radio, on 01.12.1941 (under the title "Das Winterlied") and on 08.01.1942 (the today better known version). Both radio recordings were made by civilian performers (I can add further info if needed).

I haven't heard of other recordings by Holländer's Flak band. Both tracks became known to wider audience through Documentary Series albums "Soldatenlieder" vol. 1 and "Reichssender Berlin" vol. 2, from which they were digitized and posted on the internet.

Cheers,
Ivan

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Re: Electrola EG 7089

#173

Post by TrommlerBO » 11 Jun 2021, 19:56

Hello Eccu,

I can note that there is another recording of the "Flandern-Marsch" in 1940. Herms Niel conducts it. The overleaf is the "Siegeslied", also by Herms Niel. However, these recordings are even rarer.

Best regards,
Trommler

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Re: Electrola EG 7089

#174

Post by Ivan Ž. » 11 Jun 2021, 20:23

There's also an interesting radio recording of the song, by Wilhelm Strienz: a slow, string orchestra arrangement, without the march intro.

Cheers,
Ivan

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Re: Electrola EG 7089

#175

Post by Alarm_Uboat » 04 Dec 2022, 14:23

How do I find an entry ,,Die Straßen, die mein Vater zog,,? I went to the radio archive but couldn't figure out how to find it.

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