Julius Patzak - Cäcilie (Strauss)

with the Berlin State Opera orchestra, Julius Prüwer (cnd). Polydor master 2645 BH I, rec. Berlin, 1931.
It is an almost ridiculous fact that Julius Patzak (1898-1974), one of the most beloved Viennese singers of his time, originally did not even think of a career as a singer: he wanted to become a conductor and studied as a composer with Eusebius Mandyczewski and Franz Schmidt in Vienna. Then he worked as a music director in a church. Legend has it that when performing a Bach oratorio his tenor soloist had to cancel at the last moment, and Patzak, unable to find a replacement, took the part. Two years later, he was a member of the Munich State Opera, where he sang from 1928 to 1947. He returned to Vienna in 1945 where he was a member of the State Opera there until 1959, although he gave concerts as late as 1966. Throughout his career he remained a more or less self-taught singer. Yes, I am envious! And did I mention that Patzak liked his cigarettes and beer? Some guys have all the luck, as Rod Stewart used to say!
Richard Strauss admired his singing and asked for Patzak's assistance in his concert several times, so I selected a Strauss song ...

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Julius
• Patzak
• Prüwer
• Richard
• Strauss
• Cäcilie
• song
• tenor
• Polydor

[goldenageofsong]

A natural and solid technique without hours of practicing is something most musicians would give an arm and a leg for - similar to an athlete, I think: doing the same exercises over and over again takes a lot of self-motivation. As for smoking: A lot of singers do, even coloratura sopranos, and don't have problems with it, while cannot look at a cigarette without coughing. I remember Gedda saying once in a talkshow on German TV: "I'm not a smoking singer, I'm a singing smoker".

[villebaston]

Gedda : but it was something like coquetry !

and Tauber died ...

dp

[goldenageofsong]

You are certainly right, and excessive smoking might also have something to do with Caruso's death, but many singers are astonishingly relaxed about that topic. Nowadays it seems incredible, but Victor Madin, who was not only a great singer, but also a succelssful teacher, even advised pupils who had problems with too many fluids in their throat when singing to smoke, as the cigarette smoke reduces the productivity of the salivary glands!

[goodboybuddy1]

Can't believe I got thru CCM and never even heard of this guy. I love everything about his singing and his elegant style. Thank you very much for posting!

[pslogge]

i just adored the discussion about smoking singers listening to Patzak . i lit a cigarette as a tribute to him. all the best guys

[otterhouse]

Nice to hear a "young" Patzak here. I recently heard his MMS Fidelio (Florestan) with Carl Bamberger from 1958 on LP. He was very much past his prime then... Thanks for uploading!

Greetings, Rolf

on Twitter as @otterhouse

[villebaston]

Bizarre ...

People who are talented sometimes feel guilty about their abilities... and become their own best enemies.

Alas it is always easy ... and often successful!

dp

[villebaston]

Are you envious about self-taughting ... or about cigarettes ?

I think Fischer-Dieskau used to smoke too.

And even Tauber alas (contrary to Marlene Dietrich's belief !).

Patzak : his "Schöne Müllerin" is very moving, although (or because of ...) his voice was tired.

dp