COMEDY & QUIZZES
14 February 2006
Tuesday 14 February 2006 11:30-12:00 (Radio 4 FM)
Classical musician and comedian Rainer Hersch profiles entertainers who have combined comedy in serious music.
Rainer recounts the story of The Comedian Harmonists, the German comedy singing sensation of the 1920s and 30s. An elegant sextet, five vocalists and a pianist all dressed in tails, the Comedian Harmonists had a repertoire that encompassed many vocal styles, ranging from folk songs to sentimental hits accompanied by banter and silliness on stage.
A national phenomenon in their day, The Harmonists were best known for their close harmony delivered with humour and style. Then Hitler came to power and the three Jewish members were banned.
