Ludwig Schmidseder
Encyclopedia
Ludwig Schmidseder was a German composer
and pianist
of the "Light Muse". Several of his Schlager
compositions are still popular tunes today.
The young Schmidseder followed his father's wishes and trained as a banker, whilst taking piano
lessons in secret. He furthered his musical education at the Munich Conservatorium, then left for South America
in 1926, ending up in Rio de Janeiro
. Starting out as a dishwasher
, he went on to become an entertainer and play in a trio on ocean cruises. Schmidseder composed music for the trio, and developed into a virtuoso piano player.
From 1930 he worked in Berlin
, composing film music, creating operettas and writing more than 500 songs, some of which became much-loved hits. He moved from being a bar pianist (until 1936) to being the house composer at the old Berlin Metropol-Theatre. His operetta Die Oder Keine (That One or No One) was performed more than 600 times.
Schmidseder was not Jewish, and so his music was not banned from being performed by the Nazi campaign to abolish "decadent" music. Given that many operetta composers were Jewish, and thus unable to perform their works, Schmidseder became one of the most popular German composers of light music at the time.
After World War II
, Schmidseder continued to compose film music and appear in films. The corpulent cook would later became famous as a TV cook and produced a book of recipes.
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
of the "Light Muse". Several of his Schlager
Schlager
Schlager music is a style of popular music prevalent in Central and Northern Europe and the Balkans and also in France and Poland. In Portugal, it was adapted and became pimba music...
compositions are still popular tunes today.
The young Schmidseder followed his father's wishes and trained as a banker, whilst taking piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
lessons in secret. He furthered his musical education at the Munich Conservatorium, then left for South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
in 1926, ending up in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
. Starting out as a dishwasher
Dishwasher
A dishwasher is a mechanical device for cleaning dishes and eating utensils. Dishwashers can be found in restaurants and private homes.Unlike manual dishwashing, which relies largely on physical scrubbing to remove soiling, the mechanical dishwasher cleans by spraying hot water, typically between ...
, he went on to become an entertainer and play in a trio on ocean cruises. Schmidseder composed music for the trio, and developed into a virtuoso piano player.
From 1930 he worked in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, composing film music, creating operettas and writing more than 500 songs, some of which became much-loved hits. He moved from being a bar pianist (until 1936) to being the house composer at the old Berlin Metropol-Theatre. His operetta Die Oder Keine (That One or No One) was performed more than 600 times.
Schmidseder was not Jewish, and so his music was not banned from being performed by the Nazi campaign to abolish "decadent" music. Given that many operetta composers were Jewish, and thus unable to perform their works, Schmidseder became one of the most popular German composers of light music at the time.
After World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Schmidseder continued to compose film music and appear in films. The corpulent cook would later became famous as a TV cook and produced a book of recipes.
Operettas
- 1938 - Melodie der Nacht (Melody of the Night)
- 1939 - Die oder keine (That One or No One) (premiered on 20 March 1939, in the Berlin Metropol Theatre)
- 1940 - Frauen im Metropol (Women in the Metropol) (premiered on 27 September 1940, in the Berlin Metropol Theatre)
- 1949 - Abschiedswalzer (Farewell Waltzes) (premiered on 8 September 1949, in ViennaViennaVienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
; librettoLibrettoA libretto is the text used in an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata, or musical. The term "libretto" is also sometimes used to refer to the text of major liturgical works, such as mass, requiem, and sacred cantata, or even the story line of a...
by Hubert Marischka and Rudolf Österreicher)
Schlager
- Gitarren spielt auf (1934, text by Ralph Maria Siegel) (Strike Up Guitars)
- Ich trink den Wein nicht gern allein (I Prefer Not To Drink Wine Alone)
- I hab die schönen Maderln net erfunden (1938, text by Theo Prosel) (I Have Not Found The Pretty Girls)
- Komm doch in meine Arme (Come To My Arms)
- Ein kleines weißes Haus (A Small White House)
- Tango Marina