Happiness Knows (Not) Only Minutes

"Das Glück kennt nur Minuten" 
(Happiness Knows Only Minutes)
 A Chanson Evening With Hildegard Knef Songs
Jens Krause & Pianist Christian Mädler - Hildesheim, 16th May, 2012

Christian Mädler & Jens Krause
After being most amazed by the other cabaret last autumn (>> post about it) it was clear for me I wanted to go to this one too. With going to Paderborn the following day I decided to stay overnight in Hanover and went to the concert in Hildesheim - nice change instead of the usual rushing home after shows there and getting home in the middle of the night.
It somehow seems to be "hip" to do ones about Hildegard Knef songs as it was already the second one this year after the one I saw in January and I know of two other programmes starring her songs.
And that were the stars: Hildegard Knef's songs and the lyrics telling often of everyday life emphasised by some irony and wit.
Unlike at the other cabaret when there was a show in the show the focus here was clearly and purely on the music.
Yes, there were the odd jokes, games and teasing between Jens Krause and his pianist Christian Mädler (the discussion about in what key certain songs are to be played - so funny as performers are little divas) but it was always going back to the music.
And that was special about that night, it was just Jens and his voice, Christian Mädler and his piano playing and Hildegard Knef and her life of which her songs often told. I did not miss the big show unlike the elder couple next to me who commented before and after the show that they had wanted Jens Krause to dress up as he did in the last cabaret, but that would have only taken away the focus from what was important this night.

Dressed rather simple, black trousers, black tank top and a red shirt that was open in the first act which he took off during it and replaced by a black one for act 2 (as on the naughty pictures left and below), light make up (which surprised me as I had read posts on the net about him doing this show in another town with a bright make up on) and vocally top he gave an excellent portrayal of what made/makes Hildegard "the greatest singer without a voice" (as Ella Fitzgerald once apparently said about her) Knef special for so many people recapturing so well her style of singing with the slight smoky brash voice but still giving the songs his own character and interpretation.
Christian Mädler as the pianist supported Jens so well, never too loud despite the intimate location (at least where I sat as sat on the other side of the piano) but always full of energy and drive being an act on his own.

Not too sure about the set list, some familiar ones, though most probably because of the other shows and some to me new ones, largely her ones but also the odd cover as the big surprise to me a German version of "I Get a Kick Out of You"- not sure about the translation but I think I had never heard it before in German. Apparently she has sung it at many of her concerts after she did "Silk Stockings" on Broadway in the 50s.
After nearly two hours of happy moments the show of course officially finished off with THE Hildegard Knef song "Für mich soll’s rote Rosen regnen", I suppose 100% of the people in the audience (it was actually busier than expected, not too full, but with a bank holiday the day after and people often going away for a long weekend, certainly well busy) with an extra encore/repeat of "Aber schön war es doch" (but it was lovely after all) at the very end and that what it was: a fantastic evening that I hope I can see once more in the near future as I truly adore his shows away from the TfN.

Some naughtinesses from the show (some other guy in audience took several pictures during show so I couldn't resist during encore though not properly allowed):




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