 |
The birth of the Comedian Harmonists in 1929 brought to the Europeans a style of music already known to the ears of Americans. Their inspiration came from the sounds of American a cappella. From listening to the early recording of The Revelers and The Mills Brothers the sextet from Berlin set out to create their own style and from 1929 to 1935 they were Europe's top selling vocal ensemble. With sold out concert tours they were among the first to acquire pop star status. Unfortunately for the musical world at large, the group was disbanded in 1935 because three of them were Jewish. For many years their music was forgotten but since the early 80's there has been a revival that in the late 90's is reaching a peak.
"No one else I have heard has come closer to the Comedian Harmonists' spirit and sound, wit and precision than Hudson Shad. My family and I thank you."
Deborah Tint, Granddaughter of Erich Collin, Original member of the Comedian Harmonists.
|
|
When Hudson Shad gave their German debut in the summer of 1995 they were hailed as the first equal heirs to the Comedian Harmonists by the national news magazine "Der Stern". This reputation still follows them and they are welcomed with great enthusiasm as if the "prodigal sons" have returned home. They have consistently sold out prestigious houses like "Theatre des Westens" and Komische Oper in Berlin, the Prinzregenten Theatre in Munich and Gewandhaus in Leipzig. Their versatility has allowed them to play in the classical setting of the Semperoper in Dresden, as well as in Germany's largest revue theatre, the Friedrichstadtpalast, for the hundredth anniversary of Marlene Dietrich's birth.
What sets Hudson Shad apart from other groups of their genre is, above all, their musical professionalism. Although they sing the repertoire of the Comedian Harmonists in the original arrangements they create their own image instead of limiting themselves to imitation. The elegant yet funny, imaginative way in which they present their music makes their performances very special and more often than not, puts the audience on their feet.
Their repertoire, however, is by no means limited to the music of the Comedian Harmonists. In their concerts they present American songs of the 20's, including hits from The Revelers, The Mills Brothers, and The Paul Whiteman Orchestra. Furthermore, their diversity includes evergreens from the 30's, 40's, 50's, and 60's, such as Stardust, Summerwind, Speak Low and Volare, to name just a few. In addition to popular music of yesteryear, they also sing classical lieder with orchestra, which led to their participation in the bicentennial Schubert celebration with the New York Philharmonic, as well as an invitation to perform at the '99 G-8 Economic Summit in Cologne.
Hudson Shad is known internationally for their interpretation of "The Family" in Kurt Weill's Seven Deadly Sins. They have performed this work with e.g. Kurt Masur and the New York Philharmonic, Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Fransisco Symphony, Dennis Russell Davies and the RSO Wien, Zubin Mehta and the LA Philharmonic, Charles Dutoit and the Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal, the Chicago Symphony, Kansas City Symphony, Ottawa Symphony, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, alongside such distinguished singers as Ute Lemper, Marianne Faithfull, Julia Migenes, Sheri Greenawald and Angelina Reaux in the role of Anna. Hudson Shad has two recordings of The Seven Deadly Sins, one for Teldec with the New York Philharmonic and the other for EMI with RSO Wien and Marianne Faithfull. In 1998 they appeared in Kurt Weill's opera Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny at the Salzburg Festival. In 2000 Hudson Shad's repertoire continued t o expand with their solo debut of an all Kurt Weill Abend at the Deutsche Oper, Berlin, featuring Weill's music from Broadway shows. Also in the summer of 2000 they appeared in the two opening performances at the Ravenna Festival, and at the Macerata Festival in 2001 they premiered a fully staged version of Weill's The Lindbergh Flight and The Seven Deadly Sins directed by Hugo de Ana. In the fall of 2002, they debuted yet another new solo show entitled "Cowboys of the Opera" which features cowboy folklore, film music and various country western hits spanning many decades. Their latest project is a Christmas program including Spike Jones' vocal version of The Nutcracker staged with ballet dancers.
|
|
