Schmidt was born in Hamburg and was the elder of two sons in a working-class family.
After politics, Schmidt co-founded the AEI World Forum and became a co-publisher of Die Zeit newspaper.
Helmut Schmidt was a talented pianist who recorded classical music, including works by Mozart and Bach.
Biography
Early Life
Helmut Heinrich Waldemar Schmidt was born on December 23, 1918, in Barmbek, a working-class district of Hamburg, Germany. He was the elder of two sons to Ludovica Koch and Gustav Ludwig Schmidt. His father had a complex heritage, being the biological son of a German Jewish banker and a Christian waitress, a fact that remained a family secret for many years. Schmidt's early education took place at Hamburg Lichtwark School, where he graduated in 1937. During his youth, he was involved in the Hitler Youth organization but was later demoted due to his anti-Nazi views. He married his childhood sweetheart, Hannelore "Loki" Glaser, in 1942, and they had two children, although their son tragically died young.
Musical Career
Beyond his political achievements, Schmidt was a talented pianist and organist. He recorded several classical albums, including piano concertos by Mozart and Bach, showcasing his musical prowess. Notably, he recorded Mozart's piano concerto for three pianos with the London Philharmonic Orchestra in 1982, and in 1990, he participated in a recording of Bach's Concerto in A minor for four harpsichords. His passion for music remained a significant part of his life, even as he navigated his political career.
Political Legacy
Schmidt served as the Chancellor of West Germany from 1974 to 1982, making him the longest-lived chancellor in German history. After his chancellorship, he continued to influence political discourse, co-founding the AEI World Forum and contributing to the weekly newspaper Die Zeit. He was known for his critical views on immigration and the climate debate, often expressing concerns about the superficiality of modern communication. Schmidt received numerous accolades throughout his life, including honorary doctorates from prestigious universities and the renaming of Hamburg Airport in his honor after his passing in 2016.
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Discography
Klavierkonzerte: BWV 1060, 1061, 1063, 10651985
- 1.Konzert für 4 Klaviere und Streicher a-Moll, BWV 1065: I. ohne Satzbezeichnung4:37
- 2.Konzert für 4 Klaviere und Streicher a-Moll, BWV 1065: II. Largo2:52
- 3.Konzert für 4 Klaviere und Streicher a-Moll, BWV 1065: III. Allegro4:02
- 4.Konzert für 2 Klaviere und Streicher C-Dur, BWV 1061: I. ohne Satzbezeichnung7:34
- 5.Konzert für 2 Klaviere und Streicher C-Dur, BWV 1061: II. Adagio ovvero Largo4:53
- 6.Konzert für 2 Klaviere und Streicher C-Dur, BWV 1061: III. Fuga5:25
- 7.Konzert für 2 Klaviere und Streicher c-Moll, BWV 1060: I. Allegro5:19
- 8.Konzert für 2 Klaviere und Streicher c-Moll, BWV 1060: II. Adagio5:02
- 9.Konzert für 2 Klaviere und Streicher c-Moll, BWV 1060: III. Allegro3:36
- 10.Konzert für 3 Klaviere und Streicher d-Moll, BWV 1063: I. ohne Satzbezeichnung5:14
- 11.Konzert für 3 Klaviere und Streicher d-Moll, BWV 1063: II. Alla Siciliana4:05
- 12.Konzert für 3 Klaviere und Streicher d-Moll, BWV 1063: III. Allegro4:48
The Concertos for Two & Three Pianos1982
- 1.Concerto for Three Pianos and Orchestra in F major, K. 242: I. Allegro8:48
- 2.Concerto for Three Pianos and Orchestra in F major, K. 242: II. Adagio9:48
- 3.Concerto for Three Pianos and Orchestra in F major, K. 242: III. Rondo. Tempo di Menuetto6:03
- 4.Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra in E-flat major, K. 365: I. Allegro10:08
- 5.Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra in E-flat major, K. 365: II. Andante8:30
- 6.Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra in E-flat major, K. 365: III. Rondo. Allegro7:03
Kanzler des Friedens
- 1.Helmut Schmidt1:24
- 2.Einleitung7:51
- 3.Ausbildung und Wehrdienst3:39
- 4.Studium und Beruf1:33
- 5.Familiäres3:35
- 6.Schmidt und seine Partei1:29
- 7.Schmidt als Abgeordneter1:35
- 8.Senator in Hamburg (1961-1965)1:02
- 9.SPD-Fraktionsvorsitzender im Bundestag (1966-1969)1:10
- 10.Bundesminister (1969-1974)1:11
- 11.Bundeskanzler (1974-1982)13:26
- 12.Der Berufspolitiker Schmidt3:19
- 13.Innenpolitik0:40
- 14.Außenpolitik1:05
- 15.Schmidt und die Kunst2:23
- 16.Ehrungen6:09
- 17.Abschließendes3:29
Was ich noch sagen wollte2015
Tracklist not collected yet.
Außer Dienst: Eine Bilanz2013
Tracklist not collected yet.
Unser Jahrhundert: Ein Gespräch2010
Tracklist not collected yet.
Gallery
Achievements
- Award
- Orden wider den tierischen Ernst
- Award
- Financial Times Person of the Year
- Award
- Theodor Heuss Award
- Award
- honorary doctor of Harvard University
- Award
- doctor honoris causa from the Paris-Sorbonne University
- Award
- honorary citizen of Hamburg
- Award
- honorary citizenship
- Award
- honorary citizen of Bonn
- Award
- Four Freedoms Award – Freedom Medal
- Award
- honorary citizen of Berlin
- Award
- honorary doctorate
- Award
- Oswald-von-Nell-Breuning Award
- Award
- Global Economy Prize
- Award
- honorary doctor of the University of Marburg
- Award
- Osgar
- Award
- Leipzig International Mendelssohn Prize
- Award
- Point Alpha Prize
- Award
- Eric M. Warburg Award
- Award
- Hanns Martin Schleyer Prize
- Award
- Ewald von Kleist Prize
- Award
- Iron Cross 2nd Class
- Award
- honorary doctorate of Haifa University
- Award
- honorary doctorate from the University of Cambridge
- Award
- Honorary doctor of the University of Oxford
- Award
- honorary doctor of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
- Award
- Grand Cross 1st class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
- Award
- honorary doctor of the Paul Cézanne University
- Award
- honorary citizen of Schleswig-Holstein
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Helmut Heinrich Waldemar Schmidt was a German politician and member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), who served as the chancellor of West Germany from 1974 to 1982. He was the longest lived chancellor in German history and had the longest post-chancellorship, at over 33 years.
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