Helmut Zacharias (January 27, 1920 – February 28, 2002) was a German violinist, composer, and orchestra leader, renowned for his virtuosic playing and elegant arrangements.
Born in Berlin, he was a child prodigy who began playing the violin at the age of two and gave his first public performance by the time he was six. During the 1950s and 1960s, Zacharias gained international fame as “The Magic Violinist,” blending classical precision with popular music and swing influences.
His signature style, characterized by warm, expressive tones and light orchestration, made him one of the most successful violinists of his time. Hits like Tokyo Melody and When the White Lilacs Bloom Again showcased his ability to bring classical and pop music together.
Zacharias led his own orchestra, performing extensively across Europe and recording numerous albums that appealed to a wide audience. He also composed film scores and worked as a conductor for television and radio productions.
With over 14 million records sold, Helmut Zacharias remains one of Germany’s most celebrated violinists. His smooth, sophisticated sound left a lasting impact on both classical and popular instrumental music, making him a beloved figure in light orchestral entertainment.
110 recordings by Helmut Zacharias you can hear on Instrumentals Forever:
(There’s) Always Something There To Remind Me • A Man And A Woman • Aloa He • And I Love You So • Answer Me • Aquarius • Aria Nr 41 from the “Weinachtsoratorium” (Bach) • As Time Goes By • Ave Maria • Baby Love • Ballsirenen • Bimba-Labamba • Blue Blues • Blue Moon • Blues Intim • Boogie for Violin • Brown Eyed Woman • Chattanooga Choo Choo • Che gelida manina from ”La Bohème” (Puccini) • Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White • Christmas Concerto (Concerto grosso Nr 3) (Corelli) • Claire • Deep Purple • Doppelkopnzert 1 Satz (Bach) • El Condor Pasa • Flower Aria from ”Carmen” (Bizet) • Glory Of Love • Green Leaves Of Summer • Greensleeves • Guantanamara • Help Yourself • Honey • Honeysuckle Rose • Hurdy Gurdy Man • I Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You • I Say A Little Prayer • I Want To Be Happy • I Was Kaiser Bill’s Batman – Winchester Cathedral – Yellow Submarine • I Wrote A Song (La La La) • If I Were A Rich Man • I’ll Never Fall In Love Again • I’m In The Mood For Love • Jeepers Creepers • Jeux interdits • La Donna e Mobile from ”Rigoletto” (Verdi) • La Paloma • La vie en rose • Laura • Light My Fire • Little Green Apples • Love Is A Many Splendored Thing • Love Story • Mexico Melody • Mister Paganini • Mona Lisa • Moon River • Moonlight Serenade • Music Maestro Please • Naturally Stoned • Nessum Dorma from ”Turandot” (Puccini) • Never On Sunday • Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da • Oh Happy Day • Olé O Cangaceiro • Orfeu Negro • Partita in E-Dur, 1 Satz (Bach) • Quando M’en Vo from ”La Bohème”) (Puccini) • Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head • Ramona • Reach Out For Me • Release Me – Monja – Born Free • Respect • Romance from ‘Eine kleine Nachtmusik” (Mozart) • Satisfaction • Singing In The Rain • Someone To Watch Over Me • Something Stupid – San Franciso – Massachusetts • Somewhere My Love • Somewhere Over The Rainbow • Spanish Flea – Music To Watch Girls By – Miss Frenchy Brown • Speak Softly Love • Sweet And Lovely • Sweet Georgia Brown • Swing In Spring • Swing Is In • Tara’s Theme • Tender Waves (Über den Wellen) • The Girl From Ipanema • The House That Jack Built • The Last Waltz • The Shadow Of Your Smile • The Sheik Of Araby • The Windmills Of Your Mind • Thema aus ”Romeo und Julia” • These Boots Are Made For Walkin’ – Jackson • This Guy’s In Love With You • Three Coins In The Fountain • Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree • True Love • Tulips From Amsterdam • Unforgettable • Up, Up And Away • What A Wonderful World • When You Smile • When You Wish Upon A Star • Whispering • Windmills Of Your Mind • Yesterday • You Made Me Love You • Zwischenspiel aus ”Notre Dame” •
