Vienna Bohème vocal quartet 1936: BOB UND BILL

(Wiener) Bohème Quartett: Bob Und Bill. Columbia DV 1144 (mx No.: WHA 675). Vienna, late 1936. Piano accompaniment most probably by Heinz Sandauer.

The (Wiener) Bohème Quartett was founded in 1929, when the Comedian Harmonists craze had reached its first peak in almost all European countries. Heinrich Friedl, Leo Fritz, Rudolf Schenk and Ludwig Rombach were the hard core of the quartet over years. To avoid being a mere copy of their unsurpassable German counterparts, they created a distinctive modern Viennese ensemble style, a bit less perfectionistic than the Harmonists, but still very lively, occasionally switching from standard German to Austrian dialect and back in one song. Friedl and Fritz were also solo singers with Heinz Sandauer's Orchestra. Considering the fact that none of these four singers was replaced by others in 1938, they were probably non-jews. The only things they had to change was the recording company (from Columbia to Telefunken) and the repertory (more folky stuff, less cabaret songs). For unknown reasons, they quit recording in about 1940, but they continued to sing in cafés, cabarets and other venues until the end of WW II. It is not known what happened with the group after 1945.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Wiener
• Boheme
• Quartett
• Comedian
• Harmonists
• Columbia
• Vocal

[parlophonman]

Never heard about them ! I like Close Harmony singing so very much ! Thank you !

What is wrong with the sound, or is it only my problem??

[Stompy23]

I am glad you enjoyed the quartet.

The dull sound is due to my equipment, which doesn't always fit the requirements of ambitious transfer techniques. I use an old 1950s Philips record player with tubes. It sounds great when listening to records directly, but in the process of electronic transfer, it sometimes causes a hum (and occasionally other noises). And consider, the record is from 1936!

[kspm01]

Most delightful! The first record I hear of this ensemble and it is a lovely surprise.

[Stompy23]

Fine you like the Wiener Bohème Quartett. Though no group really equalled the Comedian Harmonists' unique style, I think the Vienna Bohème four was among their better competitors. A few of their records were so popular that Columbia released them even in Germany! In a few days I'm going to post another WBQ recording with orchestra accompaniment by Heinz Sandauer's band.

[lesleysuzanne]

fabulous

[byline7844]

This is great. Now I will have to start checking out all your posts; and, of course, I will subscribe to them. Thanks so much.