The Comedian Harmonists was an internationally famous, all male, a cappella sextet from Berlin, Germany that ran from 1927 to 1934. They were one of the most successful 20th century musical groups in Europe before World War II and were noted for using their voices to imitate musical instruments.

Members

• Harry Frommermann (1906 - 1975), Tenor
• Ari Leschnikoff (1897 - 1978), Tenor
• Erich Collin (1899 - 1961), Tenor
• Roman Cycowski (1901 - 1998), Baritone
• Robert Biberti (1902 - 1985), Basso
• Erwin Bootz (1907 - 1982), Pianist

History

In 1927, unemployed actor Harry Frommermann was inspired by The Revelers , a United States jazz influenced popular vocal group, and wished to create a German group of the same format. Frommermann held auditions for parts, and once the group was assembled, quickly began rehearsal. After some initial failures, the Harmonists soon found success, becoming popular throughout Europe. They also toured the United States and starred in 12 films.

The Comedian Harmonists were heavily influenced by U.S. hot pop music and jazz, with the influence of early Mills Brothers being particularly strong in many of their recordings.

Their success continued into the early 1930s, but they eventually ran into trouble with newly-risen Nazi regime. Half the group members--Frommermann, Collin, and Cycowski--were either Jewish or of Jewish descent, and Bootz had a Jewish wife. Initially they were only forbidden from performing pieces by Jewish composers. Eventually, though, they were officially banned from performing in public. They gave their last concert in Munich on March 25, 1934. The three Jewish members subsequently fled Germany. The members then performed as separate trios, but were never able to achieve the success they had together.

The King's Singers recorded their music in 1980's "A Tribute To The Comedian Harmonists". In 1997, a German biopic, Comedian Harmonists (The Harmonists in the United States) was released. The musical scores in the movie were all original recordings, lip synched by the actors.

Popular Songs

• Creole Love Call
• Die Dorfmusik ("The Village Music")
• Ein bißchen Leichtsinn kann nicht Schaden ("A Little Carelessness Can't Hurt")
• Hallo, was machst Du heut', Daisy? ("Hello, What Are You Doing Today, Daisy?")
• In einem kühlen Grunde ("In A Cool Place")
• Irgendwo auf der Welt ("Somewhere In the World")
• Kannst du pfeifen, Johanna? ("Can You Whistle, Johanna?")
• Mein kleiner grüner Kaktus ("My Little Green Cactus")
• Schöne Lisa, Süße Lisa ("Beautiful Lisa, Sweet Lisa")
• Veronika, der Lenz ist da ("Veronika, Spring Has Arrived")
• Wochenend' und Sonnenschein ("Weekends and Sunshine")
• Schöne Isabella aus Kastilien ("Pretty Isabel from Castile")

External Links

• Compilation album at Amazon.com
• Comedian Harmonists (movie) entry at the Internet Movie Database
• Fan page currently in German only, English promised to follow.
• Another fan page in German and English.