Who was/is Lothar von Versen ? - CDs, Vinyl LPs, DVD and more
Lothar Von Versen
"Maturity is the art of missing the beautiful things in life!" (Lothar von Versen)
More than 25 years ago Lothar von Versen confessed in an interview with 'Folk-Magazin' that he would have loved to be a writer if he hadn't become a chansonnier or cabaret artist. It is therefore not surprising that he felt influenced by playwrights such as Jean Anouilh and George Bernard Shaw according to his own confession. Otherwise, Hanns Dieter Hüsch and Wolfgang Neuss were among the role models of the studied novelist - "that was a fantastic character who could make something out of nothing ...". Among the singers, his favourites included "people who are diametrically opposed to me, so really sensual types" like Bécaud, Aznavour, Celentano and "of course" Brel.
Von Versen's career as an artist began at Göttingen University, where he worked in the Satirische Schaubühne and other student cabarets, writing lyrics for sketches and songs. His first albums were released in the 70s. In 1980 the singer-songwriter's political position was determined: "I stand on the left, that's clear." This did not stop Lothar von Versen from holding up her mirror to the left again and again.
For example, with the title from 1974 that is represented here and, for him, unusually lyrical. Shortly before that, he had had to write a song especially for his inclusion in the GEMA collecting society - this is how Kleine blaue Blume was created. "At that time I suffered, although or precisely because of a sworn satirist and social grumbler, from the loss of real poetry - that is at least Heine - even with our guild of protesters. I can no longer hear the word 'rock or song poetry' for banalities and commonplaces. Basically, I was protesting against my own guild. Then I was immediately suggested to change my 'schmaltzy' into a 'little red flower'. But I longed for the romantic topos, not an agitpropsong." Lothar von Versen still stands by this chanson, "but when I recite it, there is only courtesy. The audience might think, 'How nice for him, but hopefully something funnier will come again.'"
Lothar von Versen sees himself today as a "Berlin cabaret artist, satirical chansonnier - & saviour! - to listen on stages "on which I present myself to my contemporaries in a living, quivering way" or also as moderator of the programme 'Tonart' on Deutschlandradio Kultur.
Extract from
Various - songwriter in Germany
Vol.2, For whom we sing (3-CD)
/various-songwriter-in-Germany-vol.2-for-who-who-we-sing-3-cd.html
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