Leotaurus1975's video: Sch n war die Zeit Barnabas von Geczy Aulikki Rautawaara Fred H bert 1937-41

"Schön war die Zeit" (Lit. How beautiful that time was) is one of Peter Kreuder's most popular and enduring compositions. He composed the song for the 1937 melodrama "Serenade" which starred Hilde Krahl, Albert Matterstock and Igo Sym in leading roles. The movie which was based on the novella “Viola Tricolor” by Theodor Storm and directed by Willi Forst is now mostly forgotten. Peter Kreuder’s haunting melody however became an evergreen and has seen many recorded versions over the past eight decades. “Serenade” was remade in late 1950s by Veit Harlan as “Ich werde dich auf Händen tragen” and starred his wife Kristina Söderbaum. Today's video features two German versions recorded in 1937/38 and a French version from 1941. The first recording was made by Barnabas von Geczy and is very melancholic and haunting in my opinion. The second version was recorded by Aulikki Rautawaara - a Finnish opera singer who had an international career and specialised in the music of Nordic composers such as Sibelius. Peter Kreuder himself conducts the orchestra on this elaborate recording. During the Second World War "Schön war die Zeit" became known in France as "Si loin de toi" (Lit. So far away from you) and achieved considerable succes. The French version was recorded by Lucienne Delyle, Eva Busch (all featured on YouTube), Yvon Jean-Claude and Fred Hébert amongst others. Fred Hébert’s Odeon release is featured in this video. I do not have much information except for the records that I have on Odeon and Decca. In my opinion he is not the greatest singer and his interpreation emphasises the dramatic meaning of the song rather than its melancholy. About the records : Barnabas von Geczy und sein Orchester His Master's Voice EG 6170 / mx. 0RA 2513 Berlin, 1937 Aulikki Rautawaara mit grossem Begleitorchester Telefunken A 2503 / mx. 22958 Berlin, 1938 Fred Hébert Odeon 281.504 / mx Ki 9279-I Paris, 1941