At the beginning of the 20th century, Europe is living in peace and prosperity. The “Belle Époque” is an outgrowth of previous important historical events and developments. The networks that are created and which evolve funnel both people and their products, tangible and intangible. It is within this multi-layered world that sound recording and sound reproduction is invented. Early record labels send mobile crews literally all over the world to record local musicians. The range of the repertoire is endless. Cosmopolitanism in large urban centers favors polystylisms and polymorphisms. Colonialism, revolutions, conflicts, refugee flows; the theater, cinema, radio, photography, orchestras’ tours, but also circulations in all kinds of commercial channels in a world that evolves dynamically and anisotropically, form a complex network of “centers” and “peripheries” in alternating roles setting musical idioms in motion, both literally and figuratively. The networks in which the Greek-speaking musics participate, constantly conversing with their co-tenants, are magnificent. Discography has already provided important tools in understanding the relationships that developed between “national” repertoires. The result of this ongoing research is “Cosmopolitanism in Greek Historical Discography”.

The inextricable relation between music and performing arts is more than vital. The cinema (as well as the theater too) traffics music on its own terms and plays a key role in diffusing it to places that are often far away. It also builds a special network that communicates with discography. Some of the songs written for the cinema are often the tip of the spear as regards the popularity of the films. One such case is this recording.

It includes an adaptation with Greek lyrics of the song "Auch du wirst mich einmal betrügen", with music by Austrian composer and conductor Robert Stolz (Graz, Austro-Hungarian Empire, August 25, 1880 - Berlin, June 27, 1975) and lyrics by director, screenwriter and lyricist Walter Reisch (Vienna, Austro-Hungarian Empire, May 23, 1903 - Los Angeles, March 28, 1983) and Armin Robinson (Vienna, February 23, 1900 - Bad Ischl, September 12, 1985). The Greek lyrics were written by Xenofon G. Asteriadis. The song is taken from the German film "Zwei Herzen im Dreiviertel-Takt", directed by Géza von Bolváry. The film, which began its screenings in German cinemas on March 13, 1930, was shown in Greece under the title "Dyo kardies s' ena vals" ("Two hearts in a waltz").

The song was a great success, which is reflected in historical discography with recordings in various languages and regions of the world, either in song or instrumental form. For example:

– "Auch du wirst mich einmal betrügen", Irene Eisinger – Erik Wirl – Orchester des Metropol-Theatres, Berlin, March 17, 1930 (Gramophone BLR6175 – AM-2885, Electrola EG-1845, Victor V-6082-A)
– "Auch du wirst mich einmal betrügen", Tanz-Orchester Dajos Béla – Leo Frank (Monosson), Berlin, April 16, 1930 (Odeon Be 8955 – O-11254 b)
– "Și tu ai să m‘inșeli odată", Manuel Stroici – Orcestra Dajos Béla, Berlin, 1930 (Odeon Jo 3257 – A 199544 a)
– "Auch du wirst mich einmal betrügen", Ilja Livschakoff, Berlin, 1930 (Polydor 2733½ BR II – B 51856 – 23068)
– "Auch du wirst mich einmal betrügen", Solomon Stramer, London, 1930 (Decca GB 2047-2 – F. 2034)
– "Ja wiem, że ci ze mną jest źle", Ignacy Dygas, Warsaw, 1931 (Syrena-Electro 22406 – 3771)
– "Drömmar om kärlek försvinna", De 6 Polyphonians, Stockholm, 1931 (Polyphon 2817 BR – S 41451 – X.S 41541)
– "Tambień tú me engañarás", Margarita Cueto – José Moriche, New York, May 29, 1931 (Victor BRC-69667 – 30484-A)

The popularity of the song was also exploited in the musical theater, increasing its popularity even more. It was included in the English and the Italian versions of the German operetta "Im weißen Rößl" (see here) which premiered on November 8, 1930 at the Große Schauspielhaus in Berlin. The music for the operetta was composed by Ralph Benatzky, with the addition of songs by Bruno Granichstaedten, Robert Gilbert and Robert Stolz, the libretto was written by Ralph Benatzky, Hans Müller-Einigen and Erik Charell, and the lyrics by Robert Gilbert. In England, the operetta was first performed at the Coliseum in London on April 8, 1931, under the title "The White Horse Inn" (see here), completing 651 performances. In Italy, it premiered at the Teatro Lirico in Milan on November 3, 1931, under the title "Al Cavallino Bianco". The presence of the song is also reflected in discography. On April 15, 1931, a week after the premiere of the operetta in England, Jack Pane and his B.B.C. Dance Orchestra recorded the song "Υou too" (Columbia CA 11448 – CB-271) in London. As for Italian discography, in 1931, Crivel and Martineli recorded the song "Mai più" (Excelsius 6523 – T 6523) in Milan.

Apart from the present version, the song was also recorded by Lysandros Ioannidis accompanied by the Béla Dajos Orchestra ("Kai sy tha xechaseis mia mera", Berlin, 1931, Odeon GZA 2526 – (Go 3004) – ZA 190843 a).

The Greek commercial score of the song was published in Athens in 1930 by the Stefanos Gaitanos publishing house (see here).

In Greek-speaking historical discography, another song from the film can be found, the title track "Zwei Herzen im Dreiviertel-Takt", released under the title "Dyo kardies s' ena vals" (see here).

Research and text: Leonardos Kounadis and Nikos Ordoulidis