Elena Gerhardt

Speaker 10:00

Hello, I'm Kirstie Young, and you are listening to Desert Island Discs.

Speaker 10:05

This edition of Desert Island Discs was archived without the music, so although the Castaway's choices are introduced, they're not part of this recording.

Speaker 10:15

Full details can be found on the Castaways page on the Desert Island Discs website.

Speaker 10:21

The programme was originally broadcast in nineteen fifty eight.

Speaker 10:24

And the presenter was Roy Plumley.

Presenter0:27

How do you do, ladies and gentlemen?

Presenter0:29

Our Castaway this week is a famous singer.

Presenter0:32

During a long and very successful career, she earned renown as one of the greatest leader singers in the world. Here is Elena Gerhardt.

Presenter0:40

Well, Madam Gerhard, the the reference books tell me that to-morrow is your seventy-fifth birthday. Is that really true?

Elena Gerhardt0:45

Yes, I'm afraid it is.

Presenter0:47

Well it doesn't seem much of a birthday present for you casting you away on a desert island.

Presenter0:53

Have you a a big collection of records yourself?

Elena Gerhardt0:55

Oh, no, not really a big one. I'm not a f a gramophone fan in collecting, but I choose the records of my most beloved artists.

Presenter1:06

That's the way you're setting about choosing the Zate, is it?

Presenter1:10

I think so. What's the first?

Elena Gerhardt1:12

Well, first I choose Troy Marae by Robert Schumann, played by Pablo Casaltz, you know, whom I know from his earliest beginnings when I was a student at the conservatory in Leipzig.

Speaker 11:18

Uh

Presenter1:18

No.

Speaker 11:19

Wow.

Elena Gerhardt1:25

And I always admired him as one of the most wonderful jellists in the world.

Presenter1:30

Why do you choose this particular piece?

Elena Gerhardt1:32

It is lovely, peaceful, warm and uh most beautifully played, I think.

Presenter1:40

Schumann's Troy Murai, played by Pablo Casals, who is the second artist you've chosen.

Elena Gerhardt1:45

Well, I choose Victoria de Los Angeles, who is really for me the

Elena Gerhardt1:51

Most gifted singer before the public just now, particularly on the concert platform.

Elena Gerhardt1:57

and in old Italian music and them.

Elena Gerhardt2:01

Of course Spanish.

Elena Gerhardt2:02

She's just perfect in style and warmth and beauty and simplicity in her production. But what I have chosen is a little gay street song

Elena Gerhardt2:13

Clavalitos, which is a famous uncle of hers, and she does it with great expression, the different moods of the girl.

Presenter2:20

Yes. What's the story of the song?

Elena Gerhardt2:22

Well the the g the girl sells carnations in the streets of Madrid to Barcelona and of course approaches everyone.

Elena Gerhardt2:30

differently if we if he looks rich or poor or anything, because she wants her clavalito sell to everybody, you know? And she does Los Angeles does that very cleverly.

Presenter2:44

The voice of Victoria de Los Angles, singing a little Spanish song called Clervalitos.

Presenter2:50

Well now, Madame Gerhardt, I'm going to ask you some questions about this long career of yours. Let's begin right at the beginning. Where were you born?

Elena Gerhardt2:56

I am born in Lebton.

Presenter2:58

Were there any famous musicians in your family, or were you the first?

Elena Gerhardt3:01

No, the first. No, my whole family sang, but were all musical, but nobody professional. Yes. Except me and my youngest brother.

Presenter3:10

When did your talent first show itself? Do you remember?

Elena Gerhardt3:14

Well, I sang all my life, but I think I made my degree the first day when I came to school and couldn't do any writing or reading or anything. And when the teacher asked me what can you do, I burst out and said, I can sing.

Elena Gerhardt3:28

And then he said, All right, come and sing something and I

Elena Gerhardt3:31

Sing a children's song of the of the winter that you can do in the snow with about six or seven verses.

Elena Gerhardt3:38

And he was so intrigued by my interpretation that he called all the teachers along from the floor and I had to had to do it again. Then he insisted up to the end of his life that he had discovered me.

Presenter3:52

Yes, indeed he had. Well, you studied at the Conservatoire in in Leipzig, didn't you?

Elena Gerhardt3:56

Yes.

Elena Gerhardt3:57

Yeah.

Presenter3:58

Had you already decided when you were studying that you wanted to specialize in leader?

Elena Gerhardt4:03

No, I went to the conservatory for the study of opera.

Presenter4:07

Mm-hmm.

Elena Gerhardt4:08

And then only at the end when I came first out, I I was tried out on Leader.

Presenter4:14

Yes. When did you make your debut?

Elena Gerhardt4:16

On my twentieth birthday.

Elena Gerhardt4:19

In Laxi.

Presenter4:20

Yes.

Elena Gerhardt4:21

When an Arturnikic, you know the famous conductor.

Elena Gerhardt4:25

Accompany me.

Presenter4:26

Mm-hmm.

Presenter4:27

I know that first recital was a great success, and

Presenter4:30

Brought you immediate bookings from all over Germany, is that right?

Elena Gerhardt4:34

Yes, so much so that I hadn't enough repair to her to cope with it.

Presenter4:38

Uh

Presenter4:39

Well, I think we might break off there and have your third record. What's that going to be?

Elena Gerhardt4:43

It's Maraj playing

Elena Gerhardt4:45

Jesus Joy of Man's Design.

Elena Gerhardt4:48

Because I think she's one of the finest musicians amongst the pianists, you know, and I love her warm-hearted playing and enjoy it always.

Presenter4:57

Myra Hess playing her own piano transcription of G Zoo Joy of Man's Desiring.

Presenter5:03

Well, getting back to your career, Madame Dearhart, you did desert leader and sing in opera for a short while, didn't you?

Elena Gerhardt5:08

Yes, as a guest performer in at the Leipzig Opera House, with with Nikisch conducting, I think Min Jong and Charlotte and Werde, eight times each one.

Elena Gerhardt5:18

When did you first come to England?

Elena Gerhardt5:20

In 1906, I made my debut in Queen's Hall when Michael Ellman introduced himself to London.

Presenter5:28

If

Elena Gerhardt5:28

As a filling artist.

Presenter5:30

Yeah.

Presenter5:30

And in all those early years before the war you you came regularly to London.

Presenter5:36

Then apart from singing in Paris and Saint Petersburg

Elena Gerhardt5:39

Yes, I sing regularly in England, every year to did a Harrison tour through the country and provinces.

Elena Gerhardt5:46

And of course I also went to America in 1912 the first time.

Presenter5:50

Now you knew all the great artists of of those days, the first years of the century, which we now look back on, we now call the Golden Age.

Presenter5:59

Do you think that the standard of singing generally was so much higher than it is to day?

Elena Gerhardt6:04

No, I on the whole I don't think so. I think the standard is higher now.

Elena Gerhardt6:09

But of course there has always been

Elena Gerhardt6:12

Only a number of famous artists, you know, of really great artists who conquered the world. And that is just the same now.

Presenter6:17

Uh

Presenter6:19

Yes. Each each age has its great

Elena Gerhardt6:21

Yeah.

Presenter6:23

It was during one of your first visits to England that you made your first records, wasn't it?

Elena Gerhardt6:27

Yes, in May 2nd, in 1907 I made the first record.

Presenter6:32

And that began a recording career that lasted nearly forty years.

Elena Gerhardt6:35

Yes.

Presenter6:36

Well now let's have another record that you've chosen to take on this island. What's number four?

Elena Gerhardt6:41

Well, I would have one of the finest singers during the last forty years, and that I think was also Poncell, who sang La Forta del D'Estino and

Elena Gerhardt6:53

Norma and all these parts. And her singing of the Aria at the end of La Forza del Estino is simply wonderful and warm and artistic and faultlessly done. And I love to listen to something like that, you know.

Presenter7:08

Rosa Poncel singing Pace Pache from Verdi's La Forza del Lestino.

Presenter7:15

Well, Madame Gerhardt, even the First World War didn't stop your travels about the world, did it?

Elena Gerhardt7:19

No, I even went to America twice. Uh via Holland and via uh Christiania.

Elena Gerhardt7:26

And had two tours in America, but then I came back and sang all over Europe, in Germany, and Scandinavia and the Balkan states and all over.

Presenter7:35

And when did you come back to London again after the war?

Elena Gerhardt7:39

Well I made my return.

Presenter7:39

What?

Elena Gerhardt7:41

and in 1922 in Queens Hall.

Presenter7:44

Yes.

Elena Gerhardt7:46

And it was a most moving evening, really.

Elena Gerhardt7:49

Well, I I was afraid nobody would go and listen to German leader yet.

Elena Gerhardt7:54

But um my agent called at me at Southampton and said, you know, I want to tell you something. Queen's Hall sold out when I came from America, he told me. And then came this colossal reception, which is unforgettable. Makes me still get a goose flesh now. Yeah.

Presenter8:13

You've been living in this country now for many years, haven't you?

Elena Gerhardt8:15

Many years.

Elena Gerhardt8:17

Permanently here since nineteen thirty four.

Presenter8:20

Mm. I think we'll always remember with gratitude your concerts at the National Gallery during the last war.

Elena Gerhardt8:25

Yes, that was a great joy to do and I was amazed at the English public. It was so broad-minded and filled the hall each twenty-two times I sang there.

Presenter8:36

Singing German Leader

Presenter8:38

And now you're teaching, of course.

Elena Gerhardt8:39

Yes, I have been teaching a great deal.

Elena Gerhardt8:43

I still do to a certain amount, but I can't do

Elena Gerhardt8:47

seven hours a day any longer, so I just treat myself to most talented pupils.

Presenter8:52

Well, it's a nice way of looking at it. Well, now we've got to record number five. Watch that.

Elena Gerhardt8:59

Well, I would love when I go on the desert island to take something along of your hoodie menu, you know, it's my favorite.

Elena Gerhardt9:05

Walin is ever since he was a child. I know him since he's twelve years old.

Presenter9:06

Ever

Elena Gerhardt9:10

And I very much love his piece of violin concerto.

Elena Gerhardt9:15

I don't know if the whole concept is allowed, but anyway I may get the slow movement of it.

Presenter9:21

Jehudi Menwin playing part of the second movement of the Beethoven Violin Concerto with the Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Furtwagler.

Presenter9:29

Now what's number six going to be?

Elena Gerhardt9:32

Well, a record that I enjoy immensely is the Rosen Cavalier and and the old fashioned one, you know, in the seventy eight record with um with the great cast of Lot Lehmann, Elizabeth Schumann and Olszewska.

Elena Gerhardt9:50

and particularly the the entry of the second act.

Elena Gerhardt9:53

with the presenting of the rules. I think

Elena Gerhardt9:56

Elisa Petchuman singing is just

Elena Gerhardt9:59

Beyond description lovely and beautiful.

Elena Gerhardt10:02

And I heard the first performance of of the opera in Dresden with many nasts singing the same part.

Elena Gerhardt10:09

But she was no comparison to Schumann's it's just joy to listen to this second act.

Presenter10:16

That lovely duet from De Rosen Cavalier sung by Elizabeth Schumann and Maria Olszewska.

Presenter10:23

Well, Madame Gerhardt we've got you on this island.

Presenter10:26

During your travels have you acquired any hobbies or skills that might be useful to you?

Elena Gerhardt10:32

I think

Elena Gerhardt10:33

As far as the island goes, in question would be my fishing enthusiasm. You like fishing? I love it.

Elena Gerhardt10:41

Yes, because it's a quiet spot, undisturbed. But nobody en disturbed me anyway there. No, afraid not.

Presenter10:48

Well, that's very good. The the fishing's going to be very useful. Well, having caught them, are are you a good cook?

Elena Gerhardt10:53

Well, no, I can't really cook, but I think I could do a fish.

Presenter10:58

Good.

Presenter10:59

But what would you live in?

Elena Gerhardt11:02

Well, that that that's a difficult question. I will be provided with a little hut, I suppose.

Presenter11:07

Well, it's against the rules, but I'll see if we can't arrange for somebody else's hut to be left standing for you.

Elena Gerhardt11:12

Yes. Or the fishermen from the boat that bring me there might have a heart and think we will help the old lady a bit.

Presenter11:20

Yeah.

Elena Gerhardt11:20

To get a bit comfortable.

Presenter11:23

All right, we'll see what we can do. Let's get back to music and we've now got to record number seven.

Elena Gerhardt11:29

Right.

Elena Gerhardt11:30

That is to be Caruso's singing of O Paradiso from Mayabass Africana.

Elena Gerhardt11:37

It's great artistry and warm and passionate temperament and I'd just love to hear it over and over again.

Presenter11:47

O Paradiso sung by Caruso

Presenter11:50

Now we come to your last record, Madame Gerhard.

Presenter11:53

You haven't chosen one of your own records. You wouldn't take one?

Elena Gerhardt11:57

Well, I really didn't think I would like to take any.

Elena Gerhardt12:00

But the

Elena Gerhardt12:02

Because uh listening to them over and over again you also fi only find places which annoy you that you could have done better before.

Elena Gerhardt12:11

But there is one little record which has followed me through my whole career very successfully and that is a l a light record, in a graceful record, in Absheet Farewell of a young lover from the village where his beloved is left behind. But in a in a in a gay, happy mood. Not a very deep love, but it's a lovely song and I would like perhaps take this as a reminder of the times when I wasn't banned and had to go to the desert island.

Presenter12:45

Schubert's song Absid.

Presenter12:48

Well, there are your eight records, Madam Gearhardt. You still have one more choice to make. Every castaway is allowed to take one luxury. What are you taking?

Elena Gerhardt12:56

Luxury, well I think I would is it possible to take some tapestry along, to make some tapestry?

Presenter13:03

You like making tapestry?

Elena Gerhardt13:04

Yes, I have made it all my travelling life.

Presenter13:07

Surely you shall have a big supply of of wools and lots of canvas.

Elena Gerhardt13:08

The answer is

Elena Gerhardt13:10

Yeah.

Elena Gerhardt13:12

Well, I have to make my own designs there, but that's fun. Good. But there's also a book allowed, isn't it?

Presenter13:18

Uh

Elena Gerhardt13:18

Oh yeah?

Presenter13:19

Certainly one book.

Elena Gerhardt13:19

Yeah.

Elena Gerhardt13:20

one book. Well, I d I think I will take

Elena Gerhardt13:23

one of a philosopher, um I mean not a terribly serious kind or one I wouldn't understand to argue with, but if I had, for instance, some Goethebook and could argue

Elena Gerhardt13:35

when he has his talks with Ekoman and so on.

Presenter13:38

Mm-hmm.

Elena Gerhardt13:39

So that would keep my mind going.

Presenter13:41

Yes, you shall have a handsomely boundish.

Elena Gerhardt13:42

The band would be very nice.

Presenter13:44

And thank you very much Eleanor Gerhardt for letting us hear your choice of Desert Island Disc.

Elena Gerhardt13:49

Well, I love to come here and I enjoyed it. And you have all been very kind to me and helpful. And I thank you very much.

Presenter13:58

Thank you. Goodbye everyone.