Hermann Leopoldi
Subtitle: composer, Viennese cabaret pianist and incurable optimist
By: Elisabeth Leopoldi ; with a preface by Philip V. Bohlmann ; translated from the German: Jos Porath
Contributors: Bohlman, Philip V., 1952-; Porath, Jos, translator
Edition: 1st edition.
Series: Jüdische Miniaturen -- Band 234A; Jüdische Miniaturen (Hentrich & Hentrich) -- Bd. 234A.
Publisher: Hentrich & Hentrich; Centrum Judaicum
Published: 2019
Place of publication: Berlin; Leipzig; [Berlin]
Language: eng
Number of pages: 89
ISBN-13: 9783955653323
Copyright date: 2019
Subjects: Jewish composers; Biography; Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945); Composers; Pianists; Singers; Jews; Music-halls (Variety-theaters, cabarets, etc.); History
Other titles: Hermann Leopoldi (1888-1959)
Work titles: Hermann Leopoldi
Description: Hermann Leopoldi (1888-1959) ranks among the most celebrated composers, piano players, singers and - as he liked to refer to himself - 'cabaret pianists' of the Wiener Lied and German-language Schlager of the 1920s-1950s. After years of honing his musical skills, travelling to various places throughout the Danubian Monarchy, he established himself in Vienna, where he founded the legendary cabaret Leopoldi-Wiesenthal (L.W.) with his brother Ferdinand and the conférencier Fritz Wiesenthal. Even when the L.W. found itself financially depleted, nothing could break Leopoldi's stride, and well-received engagements in Berlin and concert tours through Europe with his partner Betja Milskaja followed. Hermann Leopoldi's career was brought to a screeching halt in 1938. After nine months of being imprisoned in concentration camps, he was able to escape to New York by means of an affidavit that his wife had procured for him. He found a new scene in German-language cafes for exiles, where he also met Helly Möslein, the woman who would eventually become his partner on stage and in life. Leopoldi collaborated with fellow emigres including lyricist Robert Gilbert in adapting his repertoire to his new English-speaking audience. In 1947 he returned to Vienna with Helly Möslein and picked up his career where he had been forced to leave off with songs like 'In einem kleinen Café in Hernals', as he had never been gone at all.
Notes: Translated from German: Hermann Leopoldi : Komponist, Wiener Klavierhumorist, unverbesserlicher Optimist.

Includes bibliographical references (page 88).
Table of contents: title: Preface / Philip V. Bohlman; title: 28 June 1959; title: Prelude; title: All beginnings are difficult; title: The legendary cabaret "L.W., Leopold-Wiesenthal"; title: From Berlin to Bucharest; title: Nothing is as it once was; title: To Buchenwald by way of Dachau; title: Buchenwald; title: The road to freedom; title: The American dream : wins and losses; title: The success story continues; title: Being called home : "Pray tell Mister Kohn, when are you coming back."