- published: 23 Nov 2015
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Gerard Hoffnung (22 March 1925 – 25 September 1959) was an artist and musician, best known for his humorous works.
Born in Berlin, and named Gerhard, he was the only child of a well-to-do Jewish couple, Hildegard and Ludwig Hoffnung. He was sent to England, where he attended Bunce Court School in 1938. In 1939, his parents left Germany, initially for Florence and then for London, and Hoffnung then attended Highgate School, while his father went to what was then the British Mandate of Palestine to enter the family's banking business. This temporary separation became permanent as a consequence of World War II.
Hoffnung died of a cerebral haemorrhage only 20 years after arriving in England, but filled those two decades with considerable achievements as - amongst other things - a cartoonist, tuba player, impresario, broadcaster and public speaker, much sought after by the Oxford and Cambridge Unions.
Hoffnung published a series of books of cartoons poking gentle fun at conductors and orchestral instrumentalists. After his death, some of these were turned into a short animated film by Halas and Batchelor under the title The Hoffnung Symphony Orchestra, which won a number of awards in 1965-66.
Ich greif' einen Funken Hoffnung
Seh' den Strahl, wie er wächst
Jedes Glitzern kann sein wie ein Lied
Gestern ist fort
Morgen ist hell
Zehnmal nein, einmal ja
Dem, was geschieht
Verkehrtrum im Regen
Allein in der Stadt
AuÃer mir niemand zu sehen
Ich bau' einen Gedanken
Und etwas scheint klar
Wo gestern noch nichts zu sehen war
Am Ende steh' ich am Anfang vom Kreis
Und zähl' die Zeit hinter mir
Wie oft bin ich weit weg gewesen
Und wie oft war ich schon hier
Bin keine Schlange, häute mich nicht
Und wenn ich Dinge anders seh'
Dann liegt das nicht an der veränderten Welt
Sondern es kommt drauf an
Wo ich steh'
Alles drin
Alles hat Sinn
Alles hat Sinn