On the tenth anniversary of Udo Jürgens’ death, the family releases a retrospective of his work from 1965 to 2014 – on 70 CDs. An attempt to capture the true greatness of the greatest chansonnier in the German language.
he wrote lyrics for Udo Jürgens such as “The light is still on in the refrigerator” and “What would this world be without songs”. “Wort” also comes from Oliver Spiecker: “Word, you are so tender and so warm/Your sound takes us in its arms/You are the bridge/That brings people together/Word, you become melodic when you sing/You are a Signal that penetrates in us / You are the symphony that never fades.” Udo Jürgens transformed it into a symphony that fades, but only after eight minutes, with Herbert von karajan. and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and with Rudolf and Käthe Bockelmann as guests of honor,Udo’s proud parents In 1979 his son finally became something.
Spiecker, to whom the Ruhr area also owes its own version of the guest workers’ song “Greek Wine”: “Bottroper Bier”, talks about the recording session of Udo’s record with the Philharmonic Orchestra in the large hall of the Steinway in his essay for the extensive retrospective that his heirs are now publishing on the tenth anniversary of his death. Udo died on December 21, in Advent 2014. “Larger than life”, Spiecker’s essay, appears in a book that accompanies the 70 CDs of the edition in a cream-colored box like Udo’s bathrobes with his autograph golden. Since not all of the original covers were available anymore, these are 56 albums37 studio and 19 live albums from 1965 to 2014,in a series in red. Some covers are printed in the book, including portraits of Udo’s younger brother, Manfred Bockelmann. Photos from the family archive show Udo’s biography in pictures, from the lanky, big-eared pianist in a jazz band to the eighty-year-old in his bathrobe after one of his last concerts, happy and tired.
The sanctuary is called “A Show of Works,” which in turn means that several exhibitions of works would be possible. 56 albums on 70 CDs are a carefully curated selection. With this Udo Jürgen Bockelmann, alias Udo Jürgens, joins his canon in the complete Grail works of Mozart and Bach. Grönemeyer and Die Ärzte also managed to immortalize themselves with a similar retrospective during their lifetime; They also give up a piece or two to their work, which is far from complete. These boxes full of compact discs are also monuments to the era of sound recording, whose demise Udo no longer had to live to see. The channels on its streaming services are gradually filling up. In parallel with his retrospective, the albums “My Songs 2” and “Lieder, die Reise” are now also available for streaming, while his songs are on tour, “Udo Jürgens – The Original Show with the Pepe Lienhard
Could the greatest chansonnier of the German language be captured in his true greatness in three days and three nights on the CD player? Everything comes together with him. Or as Oliver Spiecker,one of its poets,writes: “Chanson? Bat? Pop? Let the scholars discuss,Udo himself is a category,a class unto himself. Its DNA always shines through, a modern classic. Udo doesn’t make music, he is music. Mozart would have loved it.” In his early albums, his songs still sound very chansonesque like his anthem ESC “Thank you sweetie” with the bolero drums, which also appear almost obsessively in the arrangement of other songs. Udo covers the history of music and the prevailing present of pop music. From “Ol’ Man River” to “Yesterday” and “Marie” from “West Side Story” to “House of the rising Sun” in Morricone style up to “I don’t love you anymore” by the other Udo, lindenberg.
Philosophical short form
One of the most controversial scholars Spiecker references in his essay, Theodor W. Adorno, wrote: “Schlagers provide those caught between the operation and reproduction of labor power with substitutes for feelings in general, which their current revised ego ideal says they should have. The elder Udo said, “of course, I feel misunderstood. This hit me in the soul. Today I don’t care. My songs are often included in German hits.” And about his audience: “I also have many academics among my listeners, perhaps fewer truck drivers.One of his wisdoms is inextricably linked to his successes: “In the songs there is only a short form of philosophical thought”. But there is a lot of thought in his songs.In “Greek Wine” there is at the same time homesickness and desire to travel, in “I have never been to New York” at the same time as Frank Sinatra’s New York and the desire of a German bourgeois who no longer wants to be.
But it is also the voice, the singing, the cultured bourgeois expression. “Hard to believe, but Udo wished he had a different voice,” writes Oliver Spiecker. “He always wanted to be a musician, not a singer. but as a master of self-optimization, he finds his own ‘narrative’ and brings his baritone to the highest levels between Schmeichel’s melody and stainless steel.” And: ”Udo Jürgens is a powerhouse, his lyrics are the transformers – together with them he transmits his voltage in lines. Volts become words.” The music comes naturally to the lyrics, it flows from Udo’s hands.
CDs 69 and 70 conclude the retrospective with the last concert in Zurich on 7 December 2014, two weeks before his death. The last song is called “Eleven and Ten”: “The last note sung/The last chord vanished/The last autograph written/I feel like I’m left/I take off my bathrobe in the cloakroom/The roadies push the my piano / Out of the hall / The applause and all the songs / I’m in Nowhere is he dead / There’s still a sip of white wine / It’s not so cold anymore / ten past eleven / like every night / Before all the light / And then the void.” on the white marble wing, his viennese tomb, he says: “It is indeed you Spartito who was everything to me, I leave you everything, I leave it all to you.”
Anyone who was a child in the seventies likes it Michele Fungohe knew two television songs by heart: “Thank you for the flowers” from the Tom & Jerry cartoons and “A Thousand Years Are One Day” from the series “Once upon a time… a human being”.Udo Jürgens was the world’s most famous singer on German television at the time.
What are some of the most meaningful themes in Udo Jürgens’ music that stand out in his retrospective collection?
Interview between Time.news editor and Udo Jürgens Expert
Editor: Welcome to Time.news! Today, we’re diving into the fantastic world of Udo Jürgens, especially wiht the recent release of his retrospective collection—70 CDs celebrating his work from 1965 to 2014. With us is renowned music expert, Oliver Spiecker, who has greatly contributed to this endeavor. Welcome, Oliver!
Oliver Spiecker: thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to talk about Udo Jürgens and his invaluable contributions to music.
Editor: Let’s start with the retrospective itself.This collection spans nearly five decades of Udo’s career. How do you think this extensive volume captures his artistic essence?
Oliver Spiecker: This collection is like a treasure trove of Udo’s work. It features 56 albums, including 37 studio and 19 live albums. Each CD offers listeners a journey through his evolution as an artist. Udo was not just a chansonnier; he transcended genres, blending chanson, pop, and even classical influences.The retrospective, titled “A Show of Works,” rightly aims to represent this larger-than-life persona.
Editor: Speaking of his persona,what were some key moments or characteristics of his career that you think this collection highlights?
Oliver Spiecker: Udo was a master of connecting with people through his lyrics. Songs like “What would this world be without songs?” reflect his belief in music as a unifying force.The recordings with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, which I wrote about in my essay for the retrospective, showcase his ability to create symphonic masterpieces that resonate deeply with audiences. His charm and charisma are the threads that tie all these moments together.
Editor: You mentioned your essay in the accompanying book. Can you share a bit about the personal anecdotes you included regarding your experiences with udo during recordings?
Oliver Spiecker: One memorable session was at the Steinway concert hall, where we recorded with the Berlin Philharmonic. Udo,ever the consummate performer,infused every note with his contagious energy. I wrote about seeing his parents, Rudolf and Käthe Bockelmann, there, beaming with pride. Those moments underscored not just his talent,but the deep emotional roots behind his music.
Editor: The release coincides with the tenth anniversary of his passing.How significant is it for fans and newcomers to experience this collection now?
Oliver spiecker: It’s incredibly significant. this retrospective serves as a reminder of Udo’s timeless appeal and his ability to evoke emotion through his songs, irrespective of the era. It’s also an opportunity for new listeners to discover a true icon of German music. Udo wasn’t just a musician; he was a musical phenomenon. His songs remain relevant, influencing artists today.
Editor: Udo Jürgens has frequently enough been dubbed a “modern classic.” What do you believe sets him apart from other artists in the genre?
Oliver spiecker: Udo was a category unto himself, as I mentioned in the essay. He had this amazing ability to craft stories through his music while embracing multiple styles. His influence can be seen in the works of contemporary artists, and with this retrospective, those who question the value of traditional albums can see just how much depth he brought to the medium.
Editor: His music is also part of cultural heritage in Germany and beyond. How do you see Udo’s legacy evolving in the age of streaming?
Oliver Spiecker: Streaming services are breathing new life into Udo’s music. His songs, like “Greek wine” and “A Song for You,” are now more accessible than ever. While some may lament the loss of the physical format, this digital age allows for a wider audience to connect with his work. His songs are on tour, and each stream is a reminder that Udo Jürgens is not just remembered—he is celebrated.
Editor: Thank you,Oliver,for sharing these insights about Udo Jürgens. His music indeed has a way of uniting people across generations.
Oliver Spiecker: Thank you for having me! Udo’s songs will forever be a part of our cultural fabric, reminding us of the beauty of music and its power to touch lives.