Eric Helgar - Capriolen (1937)

Performed by: Peter Kreuder mit seinen Solisten
Vocalist: Eric Helgar
Full Song Title: Capriolen
Recorded in: June 28th, 1937, Berlin, Germany
B-side: • Eric Helgar - Aus laut...
Peter Paul Kreuder (born on August 18, 1905 - died on June 28, 1981) was a renowned German-Austrian pianist, composer, & conductor.
Kreuder was born in Aachen, the son of a Kammersänger. He began his piano studies at the Cologne Conservatory in 1910, where he gave his first concert just a year later, & at music academies in Munich, Berlin, & Hamburg. After World War I, he ventured into composing music for theatrical productions at the Hamburg Kammerspiele theater, at the Munich Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz, as well as for several Kabarett & revue productions.
In 1925, he was employed as Kapellmeister at the Deutsches Theater München, & conducted theater ensembles, first in Munich & then in Berlin, where he worked with Max Reinhardt. In 1930, he met with Friedrich Hollaender, whom he assisted in arranging the musical score of Josef von Sternberg's film "The Blue Angel," starring Marlene Dietrich. During the 1930s & 40s, he became one of the most sought-after German musical film composers; his credits run to some 150 movies.
Kreuder joined the Nazi Party in 1932, however, he resigned his membership in 1934. His compositions added to the intended development of a "German" light music genre as contrasted to the US big band style, though they contained a large deal of jazz & swing elements. He emigrated to Sweden in 1939, but returned to Germany two years later after threats against his relatives were launched by the Nazi authorities.
After World War II, Kreuder adopted Austrian citizenship & conducted radio orchestras in Brazil & Argentina. In the second half of the 1950s, he was occasionally the pianist of Joséphine Baker. He died in Salzburg & is buried in Munich Ostfriedhof, grave number 55-19-2.
Eric Helgar (born February 8, 1910, in Regensburg - died June 14, 1992, in Munich) was a popular German singer, stage, film actor & composer of the 20th century.
Born during his father's tour, Swiss opera singer Gustl Helgar, Eric Helgar came into the world in Regensburg in 1910. He grew up in Zurich. At the age of 17, he moved to Berlin to live with his grandmother. There, he met Herbert Grenzebach, a friend of his father & the artistic director of the Ultraphon record company. Optimistically, Grenzebach said to Eric Helgar, "[...] if your father has such a magnificent voice, you should be able to sing as well!", & invited him for a trial recording. Grenzebach's assumption was correct, Helgar secured his first record contract.
Eric Helgar owed his film career primarily to his popularity as a young record & radio tenor. His initial recordings were made for the Ultraphon label in December 1930 in Berlin, & thereafter, from 1932 onwards, almost exclusively for the newly established record label of Telefunken. However, during the early years, until about 1935, Helgar also worked, sometimes anonymously, for numerous other Berlin record companies. Helgar's interesting, diverse, & versatile repertoire was carried by a pleasant, clear, expressive, & easily recognizable voice. It ranged from simple hits to tangos & sophisticated operetta melodies - such as those by Ralph Benatzky (e.g., Telefunken A 1702, 1934); & included equally demanding chansons & cabaret recordings to big-band swing from the late 1930s to the early 1940s. He made his film debut in 1933 with "Was Frauen träumen" & a year later, he played the lead role in "Der Springer von Pontresina" The song "Wir wollen Freunde sein für's ganze Leben" from this film became a popular hit. From the mid-1930s, Eric Helgar became one of the main vocal interpreters of Adalbert Lutter's popular dance orchestra for Telefunken, including at least one propaganda piece for the National Socialists (e.g., "70 Millionen - ein Schlag" 1937).
Helgar is occasionally credited as the composer of his own songs, such as the summer tango "Wo Meereswogen rauschen" (TO Lutter, Telefunken A 2513, 1938, see the list below). He continued to appear in films until the end of World War II, including "Gauner im Frack" (1937), "Friedemann Bach" (1941), & "Romanze in Moll" (1943). In addition, he lent his voice to less musically talented actors like Karl Schönböck in the film "Der Blaufuchs" (1938). In 1944, Helgar was listed in the Gottbegnadeten-Liste (God-gifted List) of the Reich Ministry of Public Enlightenment & Propaganda.
Eric Helgar recorded well over 1000 records with many leading German dance orchestras, making him one of the most significant German-language vocal interpreters of the shellac record era.
I hope you enjoy this as much as I have.
Best wishes,
Stu
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Please Note: I do not claim copyright or ownership of the song played in this video. All copyrighted content remains property of their respective owners.

[@htc6441]

I love waiting old films, pics of people doing things in their daily life. The film was in 1935, that's 88 years ago. Most, if not all of them have left us by now, still it is nice see the past. It reminds us we should all live in peace with everyone on they planet. We are here for just a brief moment in time.

[@the1920sand30s]

Your thoughtful reflection on old films resonates deeply. It's incredible how these snapshots of the past allow us to connect with a bygone era. Your words about living in peace and cherishing our brief time here are truly inspiring. Thank you for sharing such meaningful thoughts. Best wishes, Stu

[@richardfehlmann4593]

Das nennt man Kapriolen, wunderbar 👌😊👏👏👏

[@the1920sand30s]

I'm delighted you enjoyed the video, and I truly appreciate you taking the time to watch my channel and share your thoughts. Best wishes, Stu ❤

[@JoseSanchez-ht1kc]

Maravillosa época. Tristemente fue entre dos guerras.

[@the1920sand30s]

It was indeed a fascinating era, though tinged with the sadness of being between two wars. And thank you for watching and commenting, it's much appreciated. Best wishes, Stu