Description

HEINRICH REHKEMPER (SCHWERTE, 23 MAY, 1894 – MUNICH, 30 DECEMBER, 1949)

 

 

 

 

He initially trained as a mechanical engineer before studying at the conservatories of Hagen (Westphalia) and Düsseldorf, and later at the Munich Academy of Music. He made his stage debut in 1919 at the Coburg State Theatre. From 1921 to 1924, he was engaged at the Stuttgart State Opera, and from 1925 onward at the Bavarian State Opera in Munich. In Munich, he became one of the most popular singers of his time.

His major operatic roles included Don Giovanni, the title role in The Marriage of Figaro, Papageno in The Magic Flute, Wolfram in Tannhäuser, and Amfortas in Parsifal. He also performed many other, very diverse roles. On November 12, 1931, he appeared in the world premiere of Hans Pfitzner’s opera Das Herz at the Munich Opera. From 1924 onward, he also appeared frequently as a concert singer and was regarded as one of the most important interpreters of art song of his generation. His mastery as a lieder performer was admired both in Germany and abroad.

On December 27, 1933, he took part in the world premiere of Eduard Künnecke’s operetta Die lockende Flamme at the Theater des Westens in Berlin. From 1940 to 1945, in addition to his singing career, he also taught at the Mozarteum in Salzburg. His warm, expressive baritone voice was highly valued on stage—especially in Mozart roles, but also in the Italian and Wagnerian repertoire. Nevertheless, he was primarily known as a lieder singer. His recordings were issued on Polydor, and his 1928 recording of Gustav Mahler’s Kindertotenlieder was reissued on Pearl in 1992.

 

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

Abschied (Schubert) 95102 (B22398) 1012bm Polydor, Berlin 1928

Am Bach im Frühling (Schubert) 95103 (B22399) 1013bm Polydor, Berlin 1928

Auf dem Flusse (Schubert) 66535 (B22337) 1305av Polydor, Berlin 19251926

Auf dem Wasser zu singen (Schubert) 90020 (B2217) 1497bk Polydor, Berlin 1928

Auftrag (Wolf) 23149 (B43137) 1688BH I Polydor, Berlin 1929

Ballo in maschera (Verdi) Ja du warst’s 65702 (B22125) 918as Polydor, Berlin 1922 (autumn)

Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini) Ich bin das Faktotum 65703 (B22126) 921as Polydor, Berlin 1922 (autumn)

Carmen (Bizet) Euren Toast 62402 (B2069) 1953ar Polydor, Berlin 1922 (autumn)

Das Rosenband (Schubert) 90022 (B2220) 1498bk Polydor, Berlin 1928

Der Doppelgänger (Schubert) 95102 (B22397) 999bm Polydor, Berlin 1928

Der Feuerreiter (Wolf) 27186 (B62294), 874Bi I Polydor, Berlin 1929

Der Hidalgo (Schumann) 62476 (B2120) 1647at Polydor, Berlin 1924

Der Leiermann (Schubert) 90019 (B2215) 1484bk Polydor, Berlin 1928

Der Lindenbaum (Schubert) 66535 (B22336) 1304av Polydor, Berlin 19251926

Der Musensohn (Schubert) 90022 (B2221) 1499bk Polydor, Berlin 1928

Der Neugierige (Schubert) 95101 (B22396) 1011½bm Polydor, Berlin 1928

Der Rattenfänger (Wolf) 23149 (B43136) 1685BH I Polydor, Berlin 1929

Die böse Farbe (Schubert) 90021 (B2219) 1496bk Polydor, Berlin 1928

Die Botschaft (Brahms) 23148 (B43135) 1690½bh Polydor, Berlin 1929

Die Krähe (Schubert) 90018 (B2212) 1481bk Polydor, Berlin 1928