50 euro – Hilde Loewe-Flatter – Composer

When, in 1927, the song Das alte Lied (That Dear Old Song) became an international hit few know knew that it had been composed by a woman. That was because its creator Hilde Loewe (1895–1976) was using the male pseudonym Henry Love at the suggestion of her publisher. Das alte Lied was covered by stars such as Richard Tauber, Marlene Dietrich, Rudolf Schock and Hildegard Knef, and a version played by Anton Karas even featured in the soundtrack to the classic British movie about post-war Vienna, The Third Man. But who was the woman standing in the shadow of her own success? Born Hilda Löwi in Vienna on 18 July 1895, Hilde Loewe became one of Austria’s most sought-after piano accompanists after the First World War. Among others, she performed with the popular actor Raoul Aslan, who encouraged her to start composing. Moving effortlessly between serious music and light entertainment, she made her compositions charming and melodic, wrapped in Viennese flair. It was impossible to say which was greater: her love of music or her talent. In 1934, Hilde Loewe married the stage designer Otto Flatter, the couple eventually emigrating to England when the atmosphere in Austria’s corporative state became too authoritarian. In 1947, she obtained British citizenship. She remained active as a piano accompanist and music teacher well into old age, her passion for music greater than her vanity as an artist. Yet she had every reason to be proud, as her songs continue to be reinterpreted to this day. Das alte Lied is immortal – as is Hilde Loewe-Flatter's reputation among aficonados.