Patricia Hammond Posted 1 August , 2016 Share Posted 1 August , 2016 In 2015 made a CD using hundred-year-old instruments and a lifetime of research into the way the songs of the Great War were performed when first written. I thought that the forum might be interested to know about it, and also interested that one song I included led directly to the discovery of the whereabouts of its composer's body in Verdun! Not many of my CDs have a story like that attached to them! I've attached a photo of me and my collaborator and arranger performing his song at his newly-discovered grave (still marked "Unbekanntes" at the time) in Verdun's Azannes II cemetery. I tried to tell the BBC and newspapers in the UK this story but nobody was interested. But I think that it should be told, so here I am on your wonderful forum. Here is the song, with subtitles: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin kenf48 Posted 1 August , 2016 Admin Share Posted 1 August , 2016 3 hours ago, Patricia Hammond said: I tried to tell the BBC and newspapers in the UK this story but nobody was interested. Welcome to the forum, A cynic, and there are one or two on here, might say it was the 'historically accurate' that let you down with the BBC. On the other hand I found the song and it's context quite moving as was your simple, but beautiful interpretation. It is perhaps unfortunate, as has been discussed here previously, that the German attitude to remembrance of the war receives less attention than it deserves. Thank you for posting. Ken btw you can always post a link to your website in your signature Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxi Posted 1 August , 2016 Share Posted 1 August , 2016 Welcome Patricia. I found your rendition truly beautiful and moving. The BBC's loss. Maxi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragon Posted 1 August , 2016 Share Posted 1 August , 2016 Did the BBC have the courtesy to explain why it wasn't interested? I'm not sure why they would object to 'historically accurate', although I could imagine that vintage isn't every listener's taste. (I'm afraid isn't mine! The Elizabethan material mentioned on the website is much more appealing to me personally.) I should have thought that a pure mezzo voice beautifully performing scrupulously researched manuscripts was a long way from what I'm told are cult celebrity presenters recruited to appeal to non-specialists, and that it transcends labels. I'm wondering about the gap in the story between you contacting the Volksbund Kriegsgräberfürsorge to ask for more information about him and them getting back to you saying they'd found him. If he was known to exist somewhere and he was buried with his initials, what had happened that meant he was lost, and how had they found him? I'm not sceptical, just intrigued. Did you enjoy Verdun? Are you on Twitter? I'm sure some of us with a body of Great War contacts on Twitter would be happy to re-tweet to raise the profile of Ernst Brockmann's story. You might find some on the forum are interested in your Great War songs CD if you post a link. Gwyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 1 August , 2016 Share Posted 1 August , 2016 Lovely, and thanks for posting. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Sheldon Posted 1 August , 2016 Share Posted 1 August , 2016 Many thanks for posting this Patricia. Having listened to your magnificent voice I have just ordered two of your CDs and look forward to listening to them. Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squirrel Posted 1 August , 2016 Share Posted 1 August , 2016 Excellent! Not an unusual story with the British Media not being interested in such a project. Ordered a CD... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia Hammond Posted 1 August , 2016 Author Share Posted 1 August , 2016 WOW! I am enormously impressed by this forum!! The story with the Volksbund and the identification still mystifies me to some extent: they only had the initials and nobody had thought to a. find the old music from 1917 (I'd bought it from an antiquarian) b. note the exact date of the death of the composer (which the piece of music gave) c. ask someone to find out which regiment the records had Ernst Brockmann serving in and then connect the dots. Interestingly, even genealogy websites on his family give his birthdate but not his death-date. I suppose genealogists don't look closely at old yellowing bits of music! Anyway, my CD and note was the prompting, the information and the fuel the Volksbund needed to go on a search. The magnificent Arne Schrader is a marvellous fellow and keen singer and musician and scout-leader (and retired Paratrooper) who runs their events. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia Hammond Posted 1 August , 2016 Author Share Posted 1 August , 2016 As to the music...well! I fear that period-performance and research only applies to music from before 1850, and even that's a bit late. I think we'll have to wait another fifty years before the musical establishment wakes up to the possibility that the songs of the 1910s are worthy of research and attention in *that* way. As it is, they see it as between the genres of jazz and classical and nobody's got the gumption to take it on as a subject. So, right now, it's only in modern re-interpretations by celebrities they'll even take a look at it. Which is a shame. Thank you wonderful people for such kind words! The story of Verdun etc. is here: http://patriciahammond.com/2016/05/composer-exhumations-wurlitzers-and-exhibitions-2/ http://patriciahammond.com/2016/06/the-verdun-battlefields/ http://patriciahammond.com/2016/07/the-somme/ Oh dear oh Lord this looks like shameless self-promotion! But I'm so eager people know more about this music, and particularly, poor Ernst Brockmann. I'm very happy for others to tell the story! Anyone wishing to have the whole story for their magazine, blog or whatnot, I'm very glad to provide more details and photos! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragon Posted 1 August , 2016 Share Posted 1 August , 2016 Interesting! You can imagine record keepers being overwhelmed with a lot of lost men on the 'too difficult' pile but you'd think that family members might have had a sense of curiosity about when he died. I don't want to judge them, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Scorer Posted 1 August , 2016 Share Posted 1 August , 2016 That was very good ... well done to you both! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia Hammond Posted 11 August , 2016 Author Share Posted 11 August , 2016 On 01/08/2016 at 17:49, Jack Sheldon said: Many thanks for posting this Patricia. Having listened to your magnificent voice I have just ordered two of your CDs and look forward to listening to them. Jack Thank you! Honestly wasn't intended to advertise but to tell the story of Ernst Brockmann...but do let me know what you think! I'm interested in what you historians have to say, particularly! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia Hammond Posted 11 August , 2016 Author Share Posted 11 August , 2016 On 01/08/2016 at 19:26, squirrel said: Excellent! Not an unusual story with the British Media not being interested in such a project. Ordered a CD... As I said above, not intended as an advert to flog stuff but please do tell me your opinion...I need to know what those who care about the era and its story think. Of course, can't go back and re-do it, but can take things into consideration for ongoing performances. (and, thank you!!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz in Eastbourne Posted 11 August , 2016 Share Posted 11 August , 2016 Patricia - belatedly, as I've only just seen this thread, thank you for posting this information about Ernst Brockmann and your work. Your performance of that song was/is wonderful. Liz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squirrel Posted 11 August , 2016 Share Posted 11 August , 2016 2 hours ago, Patricia Hammond said: As I said above, not intended as an advert to flog stuff but please do tell me your opinion...I need to know what those who care about the era and its story think. Of course, can't go back and re-do it, but can take things into consideration for ongoing performances. (and, thank you!!) I have listened to the CD several times now - mightily impressed. The arrangements and the excellent quality of the performances certainly evoke the WW1 era - when listening to the CD I can almost feel and sense the atmosphere of a performance "somewhere in France or Flanders". Your interpretation of the songs is superb and the musicians are excellent. Well done all round. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Medaler Posted 11 August , 2016 Share Posted 11 August , 2016 Patricia, I just had to drop by to leave you a comment. I have been interested in "folk music" for more years than I care to remember and, though your performance would be difficult to bracket in that category, I am sure you can see the strong connections. A simply stunning voice you have there, and I loved every moment of that sample. To echo the others, may I also welcome you here to the forum? Warmest regards, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanA Posted 12 August , 2016 Share Posted 12 August , 2016 On 8/1/2016 at 10:57, Patricia Hammond said: In 2015 made a CD using hundred-year-old instruments and a lifetime of research into the way the songs of the Great War were performed when first written. Don't be silly. THIS is how songs were performed in the Great War! You sound nothing like her! (Thank goodness) Seriously, a charming performance of a most poignant song. And congratulations for bringing the poor chap 'in from the cold'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia Hammond Posted 13 August , 2016 Author Share Posted 13 August , 2016 Wow, thank you!! Oh Dame Clara was a CHARACTER. I actually sang a concert in her old house in Swiss Cottage, which is now a Nursing Home...they have some bits and pieces of hers around and about, including a framed note from Dame Clara to some member of Royalty (I forget which, though I did take a photo of it I'll have to dig out) where she had to decline an offer to sing at a Royal Function or other, having another engagement. She just scrawled over the invitation "Better Luck Next Time!!" Each word underlined. She out-royaled the royals! She also had a dress festooned with artificial but very convincing grapes. It was known as her "Grape Dress" and when it got too threadbare to wear anymore she had a farewell party for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanA Posted 14 August , 2016 Share Posted 14 August , 2016 I just adore the way she metamorphoses from a contralto to a baritone mid phrase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Sheldon Posted 27 November , 2016 Share Posted 27 November , 2016 With Christmas approaching and stocking fillers now required, I am just bumping this thread up to emphasise how good Patricia's performance is on this CD. She and her fellow musicians have really captured the flavour of these old songs and it deserves a place on the old CD rack. It is readily available on her web site and well worth acquiring. Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hazelclark Posted 27 November , 2016 Share Posted 27 November , 2016 Thank you so much for this. Am also going to get your c.d. What a wonderful memorial to a dead soldier. Hazel C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squirrel Posted 27 November , 2016 Share Posted 27 November , 2016 52 minutes ago, Jack Sheldon said: With Christmas approaching and stocking fillers now required, I am just bumping this thread up to emphasise how good Patricia's performance is on this CD. She and her fellow musicians have really captured the flavour of these old songs and it deserves a place on the old CD rack. It is readily available on her web site and well worth acquiring. Jack A fitting present for anyone interested in the music of WW1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia Hammond Posted 18 February , 2017 Author Share Posted 18 February , 2017 I thought I'd put the spotlight on Matt Redman, the incredible musician who has been doing so much research...and playing! This was at the National Army Museum's event, "The Everyman Club" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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