The Comedian Harmonists
With three tenors, a baritone, a bass, and pianist Erwin Bootz, the Comedian Harmonists took early twentieth century American vocal harmony music and gave it a European, almost Teutonic sensibility. With an eclectic repertoire that took in jazz, pop, film, opera, and cabaret tunes, they were popular in Germany in the early 1930s, as well as other parts of Europe. Leader Harry Frommerman worked out demanding vocal parts for the band that shifted throughout the song, setting them apart from many other popular vocal groups of those and future times. The Comedian Harmonists were torn apart as the 1930s progressed. Three of them were Jewish, and they were asked by the Nazis to stop singing Jewish melodies before getting blacklisted. The Jews in the Comedian Harmonists left for Austria, and both they and the other trio tried to keep the group going with replacements. Several decades after their prime, a cult grew around them that included such unlikely converts as rock critic Lester Bangs and top folk and rock producer Joe Boyd. There has also been a film (The Harmonists) and a Broadway musical (Band in Berlin) inspired by the group's story.
Avid's West End label has delved deep into the archives for it’s latest release in the Essential Collection series. Formed in Germany in 1927 through an ad placed in a German newspaper seeking "beautiful sounding voices (not over the age of 25) for outstanding new ensemble." The Comedian Harmonists became a worldwide sensation in the late 1920s and 1930s. Finally disbanding due to Nazi pressure on all things Jewish, they fled Germany only to regroup in Vienna as The Comedy Harmonists. This finely re-mastered double CD captures both permutations of this great but overlooked group and includes two very recognisable tunes from Walt Disney’s Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs, recorded would you believe in Abbey Road! 45 tracks.
| 7496 2CDs $28.95 |
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Daisy (You're Driving Me Crazy) The Last Roundup Happy Days Are Here Again Creole Love Call Veroninka, The Spring Is Here Night And Day My Little Green Cactus Tea For Two Can You Whistle, Johanna? Where Is My Baby? Beautiful Lisa In A Shady Grove The Village Somewhere In The World |
If you have ever been attracted to the instrumental vocalizations of anyone,
The Kings Singers, The Swingle Singers, The Mills Brothers, or the Real Group
to name a few, they are treading in the footsteps of the Comedian Harmonists
who starred in twelve films and sold millions of records before they were suppressed
by Hitler and banned from performing. Founded in 1927, they peaked in 1930-1932
before their three Jewish members became the focus of Nazi hatred. Delightful,
joyous interpretations of classical and popular standards of the day are the
fare of the quintet. A light piano accompaniment is provided by the sixth member
who was also the arranger. This recording contains nearly 70 minutes of music
from old 78 rpm records. Fabulous!!
| 7474 CD $14.98 |
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Creole Love Call Muss I' Denn Zum Stadtle Dinaus Perpetuum Mobile Ein Bisschen Leichtsinn Kann Nicht Schaden Tea For Two Humoreske Liebling, Mein Herz Congo Lullaby Wenn Die Sonja Russisch Tanzt Whispering An Der Schonen Blauen Donau Das Alte Spinnrad The Barber Of Seville Overture Puppenhochzeit Am Brunnen Vor Dem Tore Barcarolle Holzhackerlied Ich Traum' Von Eine Marchennacht In Stiller Nacht Night And Day Sah Ein Knab' Ein Roslein' Steh'n Hein Spielt Abends So Schon Auf Dem Schifferklavier Komm Im Traum Heute Nacht Oder Nie Auf Wiederseh'n, My Dear |
The story of the Comedy Harmonists is as intriguing and compelling as their music. Drawing upon the close harmony ensembles of the 1920's - the vaudeville era - for inspiration, they crafted an eclectic mix of the classical and the cabaret in pre-war Germany. The six members, including pianist and arranger Emil Gerhardt, founder Harry Frohmann and bass singer Robert Biberti, were the pop stars of their era, and even toured America and Europe, before they were forced to disband by the Nazi government. These twenty-five tracks comprise the best-known songs in the Harmonists repetoire, including the memorable "Creole Love Call," (re-created later by England's King's Singers on their tribute album), "Tea For Two" and Rossini's "Barber Of Seville Overture."
| 6245 CD $12.98 |
Filled with topflight performances and unforgettable music, this entertaining and critically acclaimed story was cheered by audiences everywhere! When Harry, a struggling but highly imaginative funnyman, forms a singing group with an unusual group of friends, "The Comedian Harmonists" go on to become an overnight sensation in prewar Germany. But as their wave of success inevitably collides with the nation's changing political tide, the group's members are forced to face unprecedented challenges that will try their wills and test their loyalty! An award winner at several prestigious film festivals - The Harmonists is another outstanding motion picture you dont want to miss. This film is 115 Minutes long, is presented in German with yellow English subtitles and is the first full length motion picture to be added to the Primarily A Cappella catalog.
| 4610 DVD $14.98 |
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