Von hier bis unendlich

Von hier bis unendlich (English: From Here to Infinity) is the debut studio album by German pop singer Helene Fischer, released on 2 February 2006 through Capitol Music, a division of EMI Music Germany. Mainly, Von hier bis unendlich is a pop/pop rock album, with hints of schlager and euro-pop. The album contains the promotional singles, "Feuer am Horizont", "Von hier bis unendlich", "Und morgen früh küss ich dich wach" and "Im Reigen der Gefühle". Although some promotional singles did not chart in Germany, the album still received gold and platinum status, and established Fischer as a schlager star in Germany and throughout Europe .

The album debuted at number 78 on the German Album Charts (GfK), and peaked at No. 19 on the charts as well. Overall, the album lasted 71 weeks on the chart, and being certified 5× Gold by the Bundesverband Musikindustrie (BVMI) for selling 1.3 million copies, and was also certified Platinum by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) for selling 1 million copies.

The album also saw success in other countries, such as Austria and Switzerland. In Austria, the album debuted at No. 73, reaching its peak position at number 16, and lasting 44 weeks on the album charts (Ö3 Austria). In Switzerland, the album debuted and peaked at No. 49, and lasted 5 weeks on the charts (Swiss Hitparade).

Background and composition

Before the production of this album, she studied at a music and theater institution at Frankfurt, and played in a few musicals. Her first actual televised performance was in May 2005, performing a duet with fellow singer Florian Silbereisen. She continued in her musical/theatrical studies until landing a recording contract with Capitol Music and EMI Music Germany, leading to the creation her debut studio album, "Von hier bis unendlich". All songs were produced by Jean Frankenfurter, with lyrics written by Irma Holder and Jean as well.

Critical reception

RYM (Rate Your Music) listed Von hier bis unendlich at number 73 on their article of "Most Popular Schlager Albums of All Time". The album is also listed on their "Top Schlager Albums of All Time" at number 119 as well. An AllMusic review from Andrew Leahey states, "Von hier bis unendlich became one of the most popular German debuts of the 2000s, establishing Helene Fischer as a powerful vocalist in the schlager tradition".

Live performances

Helene Fischer performed her promotional singles on talk shows. She first perfomed her single, "Feuer am Horizont" on many German musical shows such as "Winterfest der Volksmusik", "Komm doch mal vorbei", and "Musik für Sie". She then later performed the following singles on such shows as "Immer wieder sonntags", "Aktuelle Schaubude", "Schlager des Jahres", "Die Krone der Volksmusik (Schlagerchampions)", and "Die MDR Hitparade".