Mackeben, Theo (1897-1953)

Mackeben, Theo

COMPOSER, PIANIST, CONDUCTOR (GERMANY)

BORN 5 Jan 1897, Stargard - DIED 10 Jan 1953, Berlin
GRAVE LOCATION Berlin: Städtischer Friedhof Wilmersdorf, Berliner Straße 81-103 (A5-UW-118)

Son of a civil servant in the Prussian army. He was educated at the Music School in Warsaw from 1916 to 1920 and afterwards in Cologne. As a concert pianist he accompanied the violinist Leopold Przemislav. In 1922 he moved to Berlin where he played the piano at Café Größenwahn with Rosa Valetti. He also played at the Hotel Esplanade and held engagements at the Volksbühne and the State Theatre. In 1924 he married Toni Neft, the daughter of Heinrich Neft, the manager of the Volksoper.

In 1928 he was the manager of the Theater am Schiffbauerdamm when Brecht's "Dreigroschenoper" was first performed. During the nazi era he wrote the music for several propaganda movies, among them "Ohm Krüger". In 1938 his son Manfred was born. In 1939 he wrote the music for the movie "Bel Ami" and his song "Du hast Glück bei den Frauen" from that movie was very popular in Germany.

After the war he worked from 1946 to 1948 as musical director at the Metropol-Theater in Berlin. He married the actress Loni Heuser in 1949 (they first met in 1942). He died in Berlin in 1953.

Family
• Wife: Heuser, Loni (1949-1953)

Images

The grave of Theo Mackeben and Loni Heuser at the Städtischer Friedhof Wilmersdorf, Berlin.
Picture by Androom (26 Jan 2008)