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The Jewish Dutch bass-baritone, Hermann Schey, from German origine, studied in Bunslau on the the local gymnasium. He received his musical training from 1913 to 1915 in Berlin at the Hochschule für Musik with Professor Henry von Dulong. In 1915 he was drafted as a soldier and could continue his singing studies only after war ended.
Since 1922 Hermann Schey worked in Berlin as concert and oratorio singer. He was particularly admired for his Bach interpretations. Concert tours brought him great success in the European music centers. In 1929 he sang in Amsterdam with the Concertgebouw Orchestra under Willem Mengelberg the Kindertotenlieder by Gustav Mahler, and left so lasting impression that returned since then annually to Holland, particularly to perform the memorable performances of Matthäus-Passion (BWV 244) by J.S. Bach under Willem Mengelberg. In 1930 he undertook a big tour to Poland, Russia and the Balkan States, in 1932 he gave concerts in Paris, and in 1933 in Zurich. He gave the prmiere performances of several Lieder by th songs Swiss composer Othmar Schöck, and in 1930 sang in Berlin the bass-solo in the premiere of the cantata Das dunkle Reich by Hans Pfitzner. Being a Jew, he immigrated in 1934 to Holland and became in 1936 professor at the Conservatory of Amsterdam, but continued however his successful concert activity. When Holland was occupied in 1940 by the German army, he had to hide himself hidden until the end of the war. Then he resumed his career and participated in the Holland Festival and in further international festivals. Concert tours brought him to Germany, England, Austria and to Switzerland. In 1968 he made a triumphalen tour to Israel, and appered there at the Abu Gosh Festival. In addition he continued to work as a singing teacher. He spent his old age in Switzerland.
Recordings: Early recordings on Odeon; also recordings on the labels DGG, Christschall, Tri-Ergon, MMS and Concert Hall (Magnificat (BWV 243) of J.S. Bach). |
