Michael von der Heide - Von der Heide sings Knef

Description

Michael von der Heide shares with Hildegard Knef, this unforgettable singer, chanson lyricist, actress, and author, a mischievous, razor-sharp mind and linguistic wit. Both know what they sing and sing what they know. No wonder Michael von der Heide has long loved Knef's brilliant, biting lyrics and has repeatedly interpreted her songs since the beginning of his career.

On December 28, 2025, Hildegard Knef would have turned 100 years old. On the occasion of this anniversary, starting September 2025, Michael von der Heide dedicates his new concert program "von der Heide sings Knef" to the only German-speaking chanson singer of world stature, who wrote over 300 of her own texts. The goal is to bring the timeless songs of Hildegard Knef, which still feel fresh after decades and whose content remains relevant today, to people during his tour. Hildegard Knef viewed life in her double-meaning texts as clever, honest, laconic, (self) ironic, unsentimental, and despite all tragedy and melancholy, life-affirming, humorous, and without a raised finger. The whole rollercoaster of life, wrapped in light songs with unforgettable lines like "Happiness only knows minutes – the rest is a waiting room."

Already in 2001, Michael von der Heide toured Switzerland with "Hildegard – A program with songs by and for Hildegard Knef" with great success, followed by a live-recorded album. Tages-Anzeiger applauded: "The evening manages the delicate balancing act between kitsch and tribute." NZZ praised: "Michael von der Heide is Switzerland's most convincing Knef because he does not want to be Knef." Hildegard Knef herself was very pleased that Michael von der Heide dedicated a program to her and praised the album.

The new program "von der Heide sings Knef" will be more concert-like but still peppered with episodes from Knef's life and work. For the program, Michael von der Heide embarks on a search in Engadin, where Hildegard Knef lived for a while, as well as in Zurich, where the world sets at 30 degrees in the shade by the lake. The program will include famous Knef songs like "Tapetenwechsel" and "Für Mich Soll’s Rote Rosen Regnen" as well as jazzy treasures written for Knef by the French author and musician Boris Vian. Additionally, Michael von der Heide will dramaturgically and biographically integrate some of his own songs into the evening.

Michael von der Heide is accompanied by his virtuoso, well-rehearsed band (Piano: David Cogliatti, Guitar: Martin Buess, Bass: André Pousaz, Drums: Beni Bürgin), with a new album planned for the new program. "von der Heide sings Knef" is a concert evening that is both humorous and profound, where the audience will be showered not only with gold but also with red roses.

Highlights

• Concert for Hildegard Knef's 100th birthday
• Michael von der Heide interprets her timeless songs
• Event at Theater Fauteuil in Basel

General Information

On December 28, 2025, Hildegard Knef's 100th birthday will be celebrated. Michael von der Heide dedicates a concert program to her on this occasion, honoring her most important songs and texts. The event takes place at Theater Fauteuil in Basel.

Location

Spalenberg 12, 4051 Basel, Schweiz

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