The Comedian Harmonists

[Originally published 7/8/08. Updated 12/21/13.]

Here's a treat for those who enjoy close harmony. If you've never heard The Comedian Harmonists before, prepare to be amazed.

The group was formed in Germany in 1927, and quickly became enormously popular throughout Europe and the rest of the Western world. Unfortunately, though, their meteoric rise coincided with the rise of Hitler and the Nazis. Since three of the group's six members happened to be Jewish and another had a Jewish wife, they were forced to stop performing in 1934.

For a brief summary of their sad history, take a look at this Wikipedia article, Comedian Harmonists, and click on its associated links.

Meanwhile, though, listen to this brilliant 1932 Electrola recording of a German song, "In einem kühlen Grunde" ("In a Cool Valley"). It will give you goose bumps (and will be a special treat for those of my readers who understand German – which I, unfortunately, do not).

Comedian Harmonists – In einem kühlen Grunde [take 1]

(Sorry, but embedding has been disabled on this video.)

The lyrics are the first, second, and fifth verses of a poem by Joseph von Eichendorff:

In einem kühlen Grunde
In einem kühlen Grunde,
da geht ein Mühlenrad.
Mein Liebchen ist verschwunden,
das dort gewohnet hat.

Sie hat mir Treu versprochen,
gab mir ein'n Ring dabei.
Sie hat die Treu gebrochen,
das Ringlein sprang entzwei.

Ich möcht als Spielmann reisen
wohl in die Welt hinaus
und singen meine Weisen
und gehn von Haus zu Haus.

Ich möcht als Reiter fliegen
wohl in die blut'ge Schlacht,
um ferne Feuer liegen
im Feld bei dunkler Nacht.

Hör ich das Mühlrad gehen,
ich weiß nicht, was ich will.
Ich möcht am liebsten sterben,
da wär's auf einmal still.

The Comedian Harmonists (from left: Robert Biberti, Erich Collin, Erwin Bootz, Roman Cycowski, Harry Frommermann, Ari Leschnikoff)

MEMBERS:

• Harry Frommermann (1906 - 1975), buffo-tenor
• Ari Leschnikoff (1897 - 1978), first tenor
• Erich Collin (1899 - 1961), second tenor
• Roman Cycowski (1901 - 1998), baritone
• Robert Biberti (1902 - 1985), bass
• Erwin Bootz (1907 - 1982), pianist