Hagen Rether
Encyclopedia
Hagen Rether is a German
political cabaret artist
. The most remarkable features in his performance are usually the presence and use of a grand piano
and his carrying a baseball club
(in the German context it is less related to sports than to street violence) while entering stage, then puts it on the piano before taking off his dinner jacket. Then a red armband
can be seen, featuring the black symbol of the German public employment agency within a white circle.
This seems to be an intended allusion to the Nazi's swastika armband, thus alluding to Edmund Stoiber
, former minister-president of Bavaria and leader of the conservative CSU
, who in one speech referred to unemployed East Germans as voters of the neo-Nazi party NPD
.
Among the topics Hagen Rether relates to are not only federal, state and international politics, but also religion
, media
, consumerism
and globalization
.
and Sibiu
, Romania
as the son of German, Transylvanian Saxon parents of Siebenbürgen. In 1973, his family relocated to (West) Germany
settling in Freiburg im Breisgau. He began studying the piano at eight years of age and attended the Folkwang Hochschule in Essen
, where he still lives today (2008).
Prior to touring with his solo show, he was the pianist in Ludger Stratmann's show as well as performing with other artists. Since 2003 he has presented his show "Liebe" (en.: Love), which he constantly updates and varies according to the contemporary requirements of every performance.
His show is predominantly political. Sometimes he begins by eating a cup of yoghurt. Throughout much of the show he alternates or accompanies his monologue with the piano modifying song selection, tempo and style according to the topic he is about to cover.
Important targets for his satires and biting ironies are, among many others, the Catholic Church, George W. Bush and well known German artists like Günther Grass, whom he criticizes for not admitting that he had actually been member of the Waffen-SS
until August 2006, during which time he received a Nobel Prize for (as Rether implies) bad writing. Another target is German pop singer Herbert Grönemeyer
, who he alleges for commercially exploiting his own wife's death in his songs.
Using parody
, he targets historical and contemporary people using political and medial transcripts for his satires (e.g. Jürgen Rüttgers
).
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
political cabaret artist
Kabarett
Kabarett is a form of cabaret which developed in Germany from 1901, with the creation of the Überbrettl venue, and that by the Weimar era in the mid 1920s was characterized by political satire and gallows humor...
. The most remarkable features in his performance are usually the presence and use of a grand piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
and his carrying a baseball club
Baseball bat
A baseball bat is a smooth wooden or metal club used in the game of baseball to hit the ball after the ball is thrown by the pitcher. It is no more than 2.75 inches in diameter at the thickest part and no more than 42 inches in length. It typically weighs no more than 33 ounces , but it...
(in the German context it is less related to sports than to street violence) while entering stage, then puts it on the piano before taking off his dinner jacket. Then a red armband
Armband
An armband is a piece of material worn around the arm over the sleeve of other clothing if present. they may be worn for pure ornamentation to mark the wearer as belonging to group, having a certain rank or role, or being in a particular state or condition...
can be seen, featuring the black symbol of the German public employment agency within a white circle.
This seems to be an intended allusion to the Nazi's swastika armband, thus alluding to Edmund Stoiber
Edmund Stoiber
Edmund Rüdiger Stoiber is a German politician, former minister-president of the state of Bavaria and former chairman of the Christian Social Union...
, former minister-president of Bavaria and leader of the conservative CSU
Christian Social Union of Bavaria
The Christian Social Union in Bavaria is a Christian democratic and conservative political party in Germany. It operates only in the state of Bavaria, while its sister party, the Christian Democratic Union , operates in the other 15 states of Germany...
, who in one speech referred to unemployed East Germans as voters of the neo-Nazi party NPD
National Democratic Party of Germany
The National Democratic Party of Germany – The People's Union , is a far right German nationalist party. It was founded in 1964 a successor to the German Reich Party . Party statements self-identify as Germany's "only significant patriotic force"...
.
Among the topics Hagen Rether relates to are not only federal, state and international politics, but also religion
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
, media
Mass media
Mass media refers collectively to all media technologies which are intended to reach a large audience via mass communication. Broadcast media transmit their information electronically and comprise of television, film and radio, movies, CDs, DVDs and some other gadgets like cameras or video consoles...
, consumerism
Consumerism
Consumerism is a social and economic order that is based on the systematic creation and fostering of a desire to purchase goods and services in ever greater amounts. The term is often associated with criticisms of consumption starting with Thorstein Veblen...
and globalization
Globalization
Globalization refers to the increasingly global relationships of culture, people and economic activity. Most often, it refers to economics: the global distribution of the production of goods and services, through reduction of barriers to international trade such as tariffs, export fees, and import...
.
Biography
Hagen Rether spent his childhood in BucharestBucharest
Bucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River....
and Sibiu
Sibiu
Sibiu is a city in Transylvania, Romania with a population of 154,548. Located some 282 km north-west of Bucharest, the city straddles the Cibin River, a tributary of the river Olt...
, Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
as the son of German, Transylvanian Saxon parents of Siebenbürgen. In 1973, his family relocated to (West) Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
settling in Freiburg im Breisgau. He began studying the piano at eight years of age and attended the Folkwang Hochschule in Essen
Essen
- Origin of the name :In German-speaking countries, the name of the city Essen often causes confusion as to its origins, because it is commonly known as the German infinitive of the verb for the act of eating, and/or the German noun for food. Although scholars still dispute the interpretation of...
, where he still lives today (2008).
Prior to touring with his solo show, he was the pianist in Ludger Stratmann's show as well as performing with other artists. Since 2003 he has presented his show "Liebe" (en.: Love), which he constantly updates and varies according to the contemporary requirements of every performance.
His show is predominantly political. Sometimes he begins by eating a cup of yoghurt. Throughout much of the show he alternates or accompanies his monologue with the piano modifying song selection, tempo and style according to the topic he is about to cover.
Important targets for his satires and biting ironies are, among many others, the Catholic Church, George W. Bush and well known German artists like Günther Grass, whom he criticizes for not admitting that he had actually been member of the Waffen-SS
Waffen-SS
The Waffen-SS was a multi-ethnic and multi-national military force of the Third Reich. It constituted the armed wing of the Schutzstaffel or SS, an organ of the Nazi Party. The Waffen-SS saw action throughout World War II and grew from three regiments to over 38 divisions, and served alongside...
until August 2006, during which time he received a Nobel Prize for (as Rether implies) bad writing. Another target is German pop singer Herbert Grönemeyer
Herbert Grönemeyer
Herbert Grönemeyer is a German musician and actor, popular in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. He starred as war correspondent Lieutenant Werner in Wolfgang Petersen's movie Das Boot, but later concentrated on his musical career...
, who he alleges for commercially exploiting his own wife's death in his songs.
Using parody
Parody
A parody , in current usage, is an imitative work created to mock, comment on, or trivialise an original work, its subject, author, style, or some other target, by means of humorous, satiric or ironic imitation...
, he targets historical and contemporary people using political and medial transcripts for his satires (e.g. Jürgen Rüttgers
Jürgen Rüttgers
Jürgen Rüttgers is a German politician and former Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia, widely known for his views on immigration and the much-discussed phrase "Kinder statt Inder" which was a media interpretation of "Statt Inder an die Computer müssen unsere Kinder an die Computer"...
).
Awards
- 2003
- Fohlen von Niedersachsen (en., approximately: The Lower SaxonyLower SaxonyLower Saxony is a German state situated in north-western Germany and is second in area and fourth in population among the sixteen states of Germany...
ColtColt (horse)A colt is a young male horse, under the age of four. The term "colt" is often confused with foal, which refers to a horse of either sex under one year of age....
awarded by TAK Hannover) - Tegtmeiers Erben (an award in memory of a local North-Rhine-Westphalia-based persona by German comedian and cabaret artistCabaretCabaret is a form, or place, of entertainment featuring comedy, song, dance, and theatre, distinguished mainly by the performance venue: a restaurant or nightclub with a stage for performances and the audience sitting at tables watching the performance, as introduced by a master of ceremonies or...
Jürgen von Manger)
- Fohlen von Niedersachsen (en., approximately: The Lower Saxony
- 2004
- Stuttgarter Besen in Gold
- Prix Pantheon - Jurypreis Frühreif & Verdorben (award shared with Serdar Somuncu)
- Paulaner Solo
- Tollwood-Festival München - Kleinkunstpreis
- Passauer Scharfrichterbeil
- Zeck-Kabarettpreis - Newcomer award Fresh Zeck
- 2005
- Bavarian Cabaret Prize Senkrechtstarter (en. approximately: High-flyer)
- Deutscher Kleinkunstpreis Förderpreis der Stadt MainzMainzMainz under the Holy Roman Empire, and previously was a Roman fort city which commanded the west bank of the Rhine and formed part of the northernmost frontier of the Roman Empire...
- Goldener Spaten Senkrechtstarter
- Sprungbrett (Förderpreis des HandelsblattHandelsblattThe Handelsblatt is a leading German language business newspaper, published in Düsseldorf by the Verlagsgruppe Handelsblatt. It has a circulation of 145.437 daily copies. Its editor-in-chief is Gabor Steingart...
es)
- 2008
- Deutscher Kleinkunstpreis in der Kategorie Kabarett
Discography
- 2005: Liebe ISBN 3-86604-162-4
- 2007: 3. Politischer Aschermittwoch 2007 ISBN 3-931265-65-X
- 2007: Liebe Zwei ISBN 3-86604-711-8
External links
- Homepage von Hagen Rether
- on the meaning of the Baseball Bat in German Culture (German)