Ernst Toch
Encyclopedia
Ernst Toch (ˈtɔx; 7 December 1887 — 1 October 1964) was a composer
of classical music and film scores.
, Vienna
, into the family of a humble Jewish leather dealer when the city was at its 19th-century cultural zenith, sought throughout his life to introduce new approaches to music. He studied philosophy at the university of Vienna, medicine at Heidelberg and music at the Hoch Conservatory
(1909–1913) in Frankfurt. His main instrument was the piano, and he was a pianist of real stature, performing to acclaim throughout much of western Europe. Much of his writing was intended for the piano.
Toch continued to grow as an artist and composer throughout his adult life, and in America came to influence whole new generations of composers. His first compositions date from circa 1900 and were pastiches in the style of Mozart (quartets, 1905 album verses for piano). His first quartet was performed in Leipzig
in 1908, and his sixth (Opus 12, 1905) in the year 1909. In 1909, his chamber symphony in F major (written 1906) won the Frankfurt/Main Mozart prize. From this time onwards Toch dedicated himself to being a full-time composer. He won the Mendelssohn prize
for composition in 1910. In 1913 he was appointed lecturer of both piano and composition at the College of Music in Mannheim. After winning a further five major prizes for his works, Toch served 4 years in the army on the Italian Front during World War I
. In 1916 he married Lilly Zwack, the daughter of a banker.
After World War I had ended, he returned to Mannheim
to compose, developing a new style of polyphony. He received his Ph.D. degree from Heidelberg University in 1921. He then taught on the faculty of the Mannheim Conservatory where one of his pupils was Hugo Chaim Adler
.
Following Adolf Hitler's seizure of power in 1933, he went into exile, first to Paris
and then London
, where he wrote film scores. In 1935 he accepted an invitation to go to New York
(New School for Social Research). He could, however, only secure his living in California by composing film music for Hollywood. Unlike his colleague Erich Wolfgang Korngold
, however, Toch never got much traction in the industry and was rarely top-billed. His score for the chase scene in Shirley Temple
’s 1937 “Heidi” perhaps remains his best-known piece of film music.
He died in Santa Monica, California
, and was interred in the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery
in Los Angeles
. He is the grandfather of authors Lawrence Weschler
and Toni Weschler
.
or Fuge aus der Geographie, which he himself regarded as an unimportant diversion. He wrote music for films, symphonies, chamber music, chamber operas. He also wrote books dealing with musical theory: Melodielehre (1923) and The Shaping Forces in Music (1948).
Toch was considered one of the great avant-garde composers in the pre-Nazi era. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Music
in 1956 for his Third Symphony (premiered by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
on December 2, 1955). His notable students include Richard Wernick
.
All incidental music listed is unpublished except Das Kirschblütenfest (pub. 1927).
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
of classical music and film scores.
Biography
Toch, born in LeopoldstadtLeopoldstadt
Leopoldstadt is the 2nd municipal District of Vienna . There are inhabitants over . It is situated in the heart of the city and, together with Brigittenau , forms a large island surrounded by the Danube Canal and, to the north, the Danube. It is named after Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor...
, Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
, into the family of a humble Jewish leather dealer when the city was at its 19th-century cultural zenith, sought throughout his life to introduce new approaches to music. He studied philosophy at the university of Vienna, medicine at Heidelberg and music at the Hoch Conservatory
Hoch Conservatory
Dr. Hoch’s Konservatorium - Musikakademie was founded in Frankfurt am Main on September 22, 1878. Through the generosity of Frankfurter Joseph Hoch, who bequeathed the Conservatory one million German gold marks in his testament, a school for music and the arts was established for all age groups. ...
(1909–1913) in Frankfurt. His main instrument was the piano, and he was a pianist of real stature, performing to acclaim throughout much of western Europe. Much of his writing was intended for the piano.
Toch continued to grow as an artist and composer throughout his adult life, and in America came to influence whole new generations of composers. His first compositions date from circa 1900 and were pastiches in the style of Mozart (quartets, 1905 album verses for piano). His first quartet was performed in Leipzig
Leipzig
Leipzig Leipzig has always been a trade city, situated during the time of the Holy Roman Empire at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii, two important trade routes. At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing...
in 1908, and his sixth (Opus 12, 1905) in the year 1909. In 1909, his chamber symphony in F major (written 1906) won the Frankfurt/Main Mozart prize. From this time onwards Toch dedicated himself to being a full-time composer. He won the Mendelssohn prize
Mendelssohn Scholarship
The Mendelssohn Scholarship refers to two scholarships awarded in Germany and in the United Kingdom. Both commemorate the composer, Felix Mendelssohn, and are awarded to promising young musicians to enable them to continue their development.-History:...
for composition in 1910. In 1913 he was appointed lecturer of both piano and composition at the College of Music in Mannheim. After winning a further five major prizes for his works, Toch served 4 years in the army on the Italian Front during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. In 1916 he married Lilly Zwack, the daughter of a banker.
After World War I had ended, he returned to Mannheim
Mannheim
Mannheim is a city in southwestern Germany. With about 315,000 inhabitants, Mannheim is the second-largest city in the Bundesland of Baden-Württemberg, following the capital city of Stuttgart....
to compose, developing a new style of polyphony. He received his Ph.D. degree from Heidelberg University in 1921. He then taught on the faculty of the Mannheim Conservatory where one of his pupils was Hugo Chaim Adler
Hugo Chaim Adler
Hugo Chaim Adler was a Belgian composer, cantor, and choir conductor. Born in Antwerp to Jewish parents, Adler studied at the Hochschule für Musik Köln from 1912-1915. In 1915 he was drafted into the German Army during the First World War; serving for three years in the infantry until he was...
.
Following Adolf Hitler's seizure of power in 1933, he went into exile, first to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
and then London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, where he wrote film scores. In 1935 he accepted an invitation to go to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
(New School for Social Research). He could, however, only secure his living in California by composing film music for Hollywood. Unlike his colleague Erich Wolfgang Korngold
Korngold
Korngold is surname of:* Julius Korngold , Jewish Austro-Hungarian music critic* Erich Wolfgang Korngold , Jewish Austro-Hungarian film- and romantic music composer* Piano Concerto for the Left Hand...
, however, Toch never got much traction in the industry and was rarely top-billed. His score for the chase scene in Shirley Temple
Shirley Temple
Shirley Temple Black , born Shirley Jane Temple, is an American film and television actress, singer, dancer, autobiographer, and former U.S. Ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia...
’s 1937 “Heidi” perhaps remains his best-known piece of film music.
He died in Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica is a beachfront city in western Los Angeles County, California, US. Situated on Santa Monica Bay, it is surrounded on three sides by the city of Los Angeles — Pacific Palisades on the northwest, Brentwood on the north, West Los Angeles on the northeast, Mar Vista on the east, and...
, and was interred in the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery
Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery
The Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery is a cemetery in the Westwood Village area of Los Angeles, California. It is located at 1218 Glendon Avenue in Westwood....
in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. He is the grandfather of authors Lawrence Weschler
Lawrence Weschler
Lawrence Weschler is an author of works of creative nonfiction.A graduate of Cowell College of the University of California, Santa Cruz , Weschler was for over twenty years a staff writer at The New Yorker, where his work shuttled between political tragedies and cultural comedies...
and Toni Weschler
Toni Weschler
Toni Weschler is the author of the bestselling book on women's health and fertility, Taking Charge of Your Fertility: The Definitive Guide to Natural Birth Control, Pregnancy Achievement, and Reproductive Health as well as the new "Cycle Savvy: The Smart Teen's Guide to the Mysteries of Her Body...
.
Work
His works often exhibit a humorous aspect (Bunte Suite (1929)). In 1930 he invented "Gesprochene Musik," the idiom of the "spoken chorus". His most performed work is the Geographical FugueGeographical Fugue
The Geographical Fugue or Fuge aus der Geographie is the most famous piece for spoken chorus by Ernst Toch.Toch was a prominent composer in 1920s Berlin, and singlehandedly invented the idiom of the "Spoken Chorus"....
or Fuge aus der Geographie, which he himself regarded as an unimportant diversion. He wrote music for films, symphonies, chamber music, chamber operas. He also wrote books dealing with musical theory: Melodielehre (1923) and The Shaping Forces in Music (1948).
Toch was considered one of the great avant-garde composers in the pre-Nazi era. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Music
Pulitzer Prize for Music
The Pulitzer Prize for Music was first awarded in 1943. Joseph Pulitzer did not call for such a prize in his will, but had arranged for a music scholarship to be awarded each year...
in 1956 for his Third Symphony (premiered by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The orchestra's home is Heinz Hall, located in Pittsburgh's Cultural District.-History:...
on December 2, 1955). His notable students include Richard Wernick
Richard Wernick
Richard Wernick in Boston, Massachusetts is a US composer. He is best known for his composition "Visions of Terror and Wonder," which won the 1977 Pulitzer Prize for Music.-Career:...
.
Symphonies
- Symphony No. 1, Op. 72 (1950) (pub. 1951)
- Symphony No. 2, Op. 73 (1951) (pub. 1953)
- Symphony No. 3, Op. 75 (1955) (pub. 1957)
- Symphony No. 4, for orchestra and speaker, Op. 80 (1957) (pub. 1960)
- Symphony No. 5 ‘Jephtha, Rhapsodic Poem’, Op. 89 (1963) (pub. 1965)
- Symphony No. 6, Op. 93 (1963) (pub. 1966)
- Symphony No. 7, Op. 95 (1964) (pub. 1968)
Concertos
- Concerto for Violoncello and Chamber Orchestra, Op. 35 (1924) (pub. 1925)
- Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, (Piano Concerto No. 1), Op. 38 (1926) (pub. 1926)
- Symphony for Piano and Orchestra, (Piano Concerto No. 2), Op. 61 (1933) (pub. 1933)
Other Orchestral Works
- Scherzo in B Minor, orchestral version, Op. 11 (1904) (pub. c. 1905)
- Phantastishche Nachtmusik (Fantastic Serenade), for orchestra, Op. 27 (1920) (pub. c. 1921)
- Five Pieces for Chamber Orchestra, Op. 33 (1924) (pub. 1924)
- Komödie für Orchester in Einem Satz (Comedy for Orchestra in One Movement), Op. 42 (1927) (pub. 1927)
- Vorspiel zu einem Märchen (Prelude to a Fairy Tale), for orchestra, Op. 43a (1927) (pub. 1927) (Adapted from the overture of Princess & the Pea)
- Fanal (Beacon) for Organ and Orchestra, Op. 45 (1928) (pub. 1928)
- Bunte Suite (Motley Suite), for orchestra, Op. 48 (1928) (pub. 1929)
- Kleine Ouvertüre zu der Fächer (Little Overture to the Fan), for orchestra, Op. 51 (1929) (pub. 1929)
- Kleine Theater-Suite (Little Theater Suite), for orchestra, Op. 54 (1930) (pub. 1931)
- Big Ben: Variation-Fantasy on the Westminster Chimes, for orchestra, Op. 62 (1934) (pub. 1935)
- Pinocchio: A Merry Overture for Orchestra (1935) (pub. 1937)
- ‘The Idle Stroller’ Suite, for orchestra (1938) (Unpublished)
- The Covenant (Sixth movement from The Genesis Suite), for orchestra and narrator (c. 1945) (Score lost; recording exists)
- Hyperion: A Dramatic Prelude for Orchestra, Op. 71 (1947) (pub. 1950)
- Circus: An Overture, for orchestra (1953) (pub. 1954)
- Notturno, for orchestra, Op. 77 (1953) (pub. 1957)
- Peter PanPeter PanPeter Pan is a character created by Scottish novelist and playwright J. M. Barrie . A mischievous boy who can fly and magically refuses to grow up, Peter Pan spends his never-ending childhood adventuring on the small island of Neverland as the leader of his gang the Lost Boys, interacting with...
, for orchestra, Op. 76 (1956) (pub. 1956) - IntermezzoIntermezzoIn music, an intermezzo , in the most general sense, is a composition which fits between other musical or dramatic entities, such as acts of a play or movements of a larger musical work...
for orchestra (1959) (pub. 1962) - EpilogueEpilogueAn epilogue, epilog or afterword is a piece of writing at the end of a work of literature or drama, usually used to bring closure to the work...
for orchestra (reorchestration of first movement of Idle Stroller) (1959) (pub. 1964) - Short StoryShort StoryShort Story is a piece for violin and piano composed by George Gershwin in 1927.Gershwin composed the duet from two other short works that premiered at the same time as his Three Preludes. He combined a section of the "Novelette in Fourths" and another slower work to create this piece....
for orchestra (1961) (Unpublished) - The Enamoured Harlequin, for orchestra, Op. 94 (1963) (Unpublished)
- Sinfonietta for String Orchestra, Op. 96 (1964) (pub. 1965)
- Variations on the Swabian Folk Song ‘Muss i denn zum Städle hinaus’, for orchestra (1964) (Unpublished)
Chamber Works
- String Quartet in A Minor, Op. 12 (1904–1905) (Unpublished)
- Chamber Symphony in F Major, for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, 2 violins, cello & bass (1906) (Unpublished)
- String Quartet in G Major, Op. 15 (1908) (Unpublished)
- Vom sterbenden Rokoko (From the Dying Rococo), for violin & piano, Op. 16 (1909) (pub. 1910)
- Duos for Two Violins, Op. 17 (1909) (pub. c. 1910)
- Romanze, for violin & piano (c. 1910) (pub. 1911)
- Serenade for Three Violins, Op. 20 (1911) (pub. 1912)
- Sonata for Violin and Piano, Op. 21 (1912) (Unpublished)
- Serenade (Spitzweg) for Two Violins and Viola, Op. 25 (1916) (pub. 1921)
- String Quartet in D-flat Major, Op. 18 (1910) (pub. 1911)
- String Quartet in C Major, Op. 26 (1919) (pub. 1920)
- String Quartet on the Name ‘Bass’, Op. 28 (1920) (pub. c. 1923)
- Tanz-Suite (Dance Suite), for flute, clarinet, violin, viola, bass & percussion, Op. 30 (1923) (pub. 1924) (optional add. strings)
- String Quartet, Op. 34 (1924) (pub. 1924)
- Two Divertimentos for String Duet, Op. 37 (No. 1: violin & cello / No. 2: violin & viola) (1925) (pub. 1926)
- Sonata for Violin and Piano, Op. 44 (1928) (pub. 1928)
- Sonata for Violoncello and Piano, Op. 50 (1929) (pub. 1929)
- String Trio, for violin, viola & cello, Op. 63 (1936) (pub. 1955)
- Quintet for Piano, Two Violins, Viola and Cello, Op. 64 (1938) (pub. 1947)
- String Quartet, Op. 70 (1946) (pub. 1949)
- DedicationDedicationDedication is the act of consecrating an altar, temple, church or other sacred building. It also refers to the inscription of books or other artifacts when these are specifically addressed or presented to a particular person. This practice, which once was used to gain the patronage and support of...
, for string quartet or string orchestra (1948) (pub. 1957) - Adagio Elegiaco, for clarinet & piano (1950) (pub. 1987)
- String Quartet, Op. 74 (1953–1954) (pub. 1961)
- Sonatinetta, for flute, clarinet & bassoon, Op. 84 (1959) (pub. 1961)
- Three Impromptus for Unaccompanied String Instruments, Op.90a (violin), 90b (viola), 90c (cello) (1963) (pub. 1965)
- Quartet for Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon and Viola, Op. 98 (1964) (pub. 1967)
Works for Wind Ensembles
- Spiel für Blasorchester (Divertimento for Wind Orchestra), Op. 39 (1926) (pub. 1926; DonaueschingenDonaueschingenDonaueschingen is a German town in the Black Forest in the southwest of the federal state of Baden-Württemberg in the Schwarzwald-Baar Kreis. It stands near the confluence of the two sources of the river Danube ....
première) - Miniatur Ouvertüre for 2 flutes, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, 2 trumpets, trombone & percussion (1932) (pub. 1932)
- Five Pieces for Wind Instruments and Percussion, Op. 83 (1959) (pub. 1961)
for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, 2 horns & percussion - Sinfonietta for Wind Instruments and Percussion, Op. 97 (1964) (pub. 1967)
for 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, 2 trumpets & percussion
Piano Works
- Melodische Skizzen (Melodic Sketches), Op. 9 (1903) (pub. c. 1903-1905)
- Three Preludes, Op. 10 (c. 1903) (pub. unknown)
- Scherzo in B Minor, original piano version, Op. 11 (1904) (pub. c. 1905)
- Stammbuchverse (Album Verses), Op. 13 (1905) (pub. 1905)
- Begegnung (Meeting) (1908) (Unpublished)
- Reminiszenzen (Reminiscences), Op. 14 (1909) (pub. 1909)
- Canon (Aus Dem ‘Tagebuch’) (1914) (pub. 1915)
- Burlesken (Burlesques), Op. 31 (1923) (pub. 1924)
- Three Piano Pieces, Op. 32 (1924) (pub. 1925)
- Capriccetti, Op. 36 (1925) (pub. 1925)
- Tanz-und-Spielstücke (Pieces for Dancing and Playing), Op. 40 (c. 1926) (pub. 1927)
- Sonata for Piano, Op. 47 (1928) (pub. 1928)
- Kleinstadtbilder (Echoes From a Small Town), 14 Moderately Easy Piano Pieces, Op. 49 (1929) (pub. 1929)
- 5 × 10 Etudes, Op. 55-59 (1931) (pub. 1931)
- ProfilesProfilesProfiles is an album by Pink Floyd's drummer Nick Mason and 10cc's guitarist Rick Fenn, released in 1985. It is almost entirely instrumental, save for two songs: "Lie for a Lie," featuring Pink Floyd singer and guitarist David Gilmour and Mike Oldfield's early 80s singer Maggie Reilly; and...
, Op. 68 (1946) (pub. 1948) - Ideas, Op. 69 (1946) (pub. 1947)
- Diversions, Op. 78a (1956) (pub. 1958)
- Sonatinetta, Op. 78b (1956) (pub. 1958)
- (Untitled canon) (1959) (Unpublished)
- Three Little Dances, Op. 85 (1961) (pub. 1962)
- Reflections, Op. 86 (1962) (pub. 1962)
- Sonata for Piano Four-Hands, Op. 87 (1962) (pub. 1963)
Other Solo Instrumental Works
- Three Original Pieces for the Electric Welte-Mignon Piano (1926) (Unpublished)
- StudieÉtudeAn étude , is an instrumental musical composition, most commonly of considerable difficulty, usually designed to provide practice material for perfecting a particular technical skill. The tradition of writing études emerged in the early 19th century with the rapidly growing popularity of the piano...
, for mechanical organ (1927) (Unpublished) - Two Etudes for Violoncello Solo (1930) (pub. 1931)
Opera
- Die Prinzessin auf der Erbse [The Princess and the Pea], Op. 43 (1927) (pub. 1927)
Musical fairy tale in one act; text after H. C. AndersenHans Christian AndersenHans Christian Andersen was a Danish author, fairy tale writer, and poet noted for his children's stories. These include "The Steadfast Tin Soldier," "The Snow Queen," "The Little Mermaid," "Thumbelina," "The Little Match Girl," and "The Ugly Duckling."...
by Benno ElkanBenno ElkanBenno Elkan OBE was a German-born British sculptor and medallist. Married to Hedwig Einstein, sister of Carl Einstein and a concert pianist in her own right...
; English and German versions exist - Egon und Emilie [Edgar and Emily], Op. 46 (c. 1928) (pub. 1938)
Chamber opera in one act; "Not a family drama" (Kein Familiendrama); text by Christian MorgensternChristian MorgensternChristian Otto Josef Wolfgang Morgenstern was a German author and poet from Munich. Morgenstern married Margareta Gosebruch von Liechtenstern on March 7, 1910...
; English and German versions exist - Der Fächer [The Fan], Op. 51 (1929 or 1930) (pub. 1930)
Opera-capriccio in three acts; text by Ferdinand Lion. Der Fächer was rediscovered and produced for the first time since the 1930s by the Bielefeld OperaBielefeld OperaThe Bielefeld Opera is the venue of Städtische Bühnen Bielefeld in Bielefeld, Germany. It is a Dreisparten Haus , offering plays, music , and ballet...
conducted by Geoffrey MoullGeoffrey MoullGeoffrey Moull is a professional conductor and pianist.- Education :Geoffrey Moull was born in London, Ontario, Canada and studied conducting with Kirill Kondrashin, Sergiu Celibidache and Martin Stephani...
in 1995. - Scheherazade: The Last Tale [Das letzte Märchen], Op. 88 (1962) (pub. 1965)
Opera in one act; text by Melchior LengyelMelchior LengyelMelchior Lengyel was a Hungarian writer, dramatist, and film screenwriter.-Biography:Lengyel was born Lebovics Menyhért in Balmazújváros, Hungary. He started his career as a journalist...
, English translation by Cornel Lengyel
Choral works
- An mein Vaterland (To My Fatherland), Op.23 (1913) (Unpublished)
for large orchestra, organ, solo soprano, mixed chorus & boys’ chorus - Gesprochene Musik (Speaking Music), (1930). Only No. 1 of 3 published:
- Geographical FugueGeographical FugueThe Geographical Fugue or Fuge aus der Geographie is the most famous piece for spoken chorus by Ernst Toch.Toch was a prominent composer in 1920s Berlin, and singlehandedly invented the idiom of the "Spoken Chorus"....
, for speaking chorus (1930) (pub. 1950) No. 1 of 3 from Gesprochene Musik - Der Tierkreis (The Zodiac), for women’s chorus (1930) (Nos. 1 & 2 pub. 1930; No. 3 unpublished)
- Das Wasser (The Water), Cantata after a text by A. Döblin, Op. 53 (1930) (pub. 1930)
for tenor, baritone, narrator, chorus, flute, trumpet, percussion & strings - Cantata of the Bitter Herbs, Op. 65 (1938) (pub.?)
for solo soprano, alto, tenor & baritone, narrator, chorus & orchestra - The Inner Circle, six a cappella choruses for mixed chorus, Op.67 (1945, revised 1953) (pub. 1953)
Cui bono (Thomas CarlyleThomas CarlyleThomas Carlyle was a Scottish satirical writer, essayist, historian and teacher during the Victorian era.He called economics "the dismal science", wrote articles for the Edinburgh Encyclopedia, and became a controversial social commentator.Coming from a strict Calvinist family, Carlyle was...
) / The Lamb (William BlakeWilliam BlakeWilliam Blake was an English poet, painter, and printmaker. Largely unrecognised during his lifetime, Blake is now considered a seminal figure in the history of both the poetry and visual arts of the Romantic Age...
) / Extinguish my eyes (Rainer Maria RilkeRainer Maria RilkeRené Karl Wilhelm Johann Josef Maria Rilke , better known as Rainer Maria Rilke, was a Bohemian–Austrian poet. He is considered one of the most significant poets in the German language...
) / O World, thou chosest not (George SantayanaGeorge SantayanaGeorge Santayana was a philosopher, essayist, poet, and novelist. A lifelong Spanish citizen, Santayana was raised and educated in the United States and identified himself as an American. He wrote in English and is generally considered an American man of letters...
) / Have you not heard his silent step (Rabindranath TagoreRabindranath TagoreRabindranath Tagore , sobriquet Gurudev, was a Bengali polymath who reshaped his region's literature and music. Author of Gitanjali and its "profoundly sensitive, fresh and beautiful verse", he became the first non-European Nobel laureate by earning the 1913 Prize in Literature...
) / 6. Goodbye, proud world (Ralph Waldo EmersonRalph Waldo EmersonRalph Waldo Emerson was an American essayist, lecturer, and poet, who led the Transcendentalist movement of the mid-19th century...
) - Phantoms, Op.81 (1957) (pub.?)
for male and female speakers, women’s speaking chorus, flute, clarinet, vibraphone, xylophone, timpani & percussion - Song of Myself, for mixed chorus (1961) (pub. 1961)
- Valse (Waltz), for speaking chorus & optional percussion (1961) (pub. 1962)
Other Vocal Works
- Ich wollt, ich wär ein fisch (I wish I were a fish), for high voice & piano (1920) (Unpublished)
- Die Chinesische Flöte (The Chinese Flute), Op. 29 (1922) (pub. 1923)
for soprano, 2 flutes, clarinet, bass clarinet, percussion, celesta & strings. Exists in German and English versions - Nine Songs for Soprano and Piano, Op. 41 (1926) (pub. 1928). Exists in German and English versions
- Music for Orchestra and Baritone, Op. 60 (1931) (pub. 1932)
- Chansons sans paroles, for voice and piano (1940) (Unpublished)
- Poems to Martha, for medium voice & string quartet (1942) (pub. 1943)
- There Is a Season for Everything, for mezzo-soprano, flute, clarinet, violin & cello (c. 1953) (pub. 1953)
- Vanity of Vanities, for soprano, tenor, flute, clarinet, violin, viola & cello (1954) (pub.?)
- Lange schon haben meine Freunde versucht (My friends have long tried), for soprano & baritone (1958) (Unpublished)
Incidental Music
- Der Kinder Neujahrstraum (The Children’s New Year’s Dream) (stage play), Op. 19, for solo soprano, alto, tenor & baritone, chorus & orchestra (1910)
- Anabasis (radio play), for flute, clarinet, 2 trumpets, trombone, tuba, percussion & chorus (1931)
- Im fernen Osten (In the Far East) (radio play), for flute, 2 trumpets in C, mandolin, guitar, 2 violins, viola, cello, percussion, chorus & male solo voice (1931)
- Die Heilige von U.S.A. (The Saint of the U.S.A.) (stage play), for wind ensemble, percussion, piano, harmonium, alto solo & chorus (1931)
- König Ödipus (Oedipus rex) (radio play), for 2 clarinets, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, percussion & strings (1931)
- MedeaMedeaMedea is a woman in Greek mythology. She was the daughter of King Aeëtes of Colchis, niece of Circe, granddaughter of the sun god Helios, and later wife to the hero Jason, with whom she had two children, Mermeros and Pheres. In Euripides's play Medea, Jason leaves Medea when Creon, king of...
(radio play), for wind ensemble, percussion & speaking chorus (1931) - Die RäuberDie RäuberThe Robbers was the first drama by German playwright Friedrich Schiller. The play was published in 1781 and premiered on January 13, 1782 in Mannheim, Germany. It was written towards the end of the German Sturm und Drang movement and has been considered by many critics, such as Peter Brooks, to...
(The Robbers) (radio play), for 2 trumepts in C, bass trumpet or trombone & percussion (1931) - Die Rollen des Schauspielers Seami (The Roles of the Actor Seami) (radio play), for flute, clarinet, violin, banjo, guitar & percussion (1931)
- TurandotTurandotTurandot is an opera in three acts by Giacomo Puccini, set to a libretto in Italian by Giuseppe Adami and Renato Simoni.Though Puccini's first interest in the subject was based on his reading of Friedrich Schiller's adaptation of the play, his work is most nearly based on the earlier text Turandot...
(radio play), for flute, clarinet, trumpet in C, cello, piano & percussion (1931) - Uli Wittewüpp (stage play), for clarinet, trumpet, percussion, piano & strings (1931)
- Napoleon, oder die 100 Tage (Napoleon, or the 100 Days) (radio play) (1931 or 1932)
- Das Kirschblütenfest (The Cherry Blossom Festival) (stage play), for timpani, percussion, harmonium & strings (1927)
- The Gates of Carven Jade or The Garden of Jade (radio play), for flute, clarinet, banjo, guitar, violin & soprano solo (c. 1934)
- William TellWilliam TellWilliam Tell is a folk hero of Switzerland. His legend is recorded in a late 15th century Swiss chronicle....
(stage play), for flute, 2 clarinets, bassoon, trumpet, horn, 2 trombones, percussion & chorus (1939)
All incidental music listed is unpublished except Das Kirschblütenfest (pub. 1927).
Film Music
- Catherine the Great (Composed 1933)
- The Private Life of Don JuanThe Private Life of Don JuanThe Private Life of Don Juan is a 1934 British comedy-drama film about the life of an aging Don Juan, based on the 1920 play L'homme à la Rose by Henry Bataille. The movie stars Douglas Fairbanks and Merle Oberon.-Plot:...
(Composed 1934) - Little FriendLittle Friend (film)Little Friend is a 1934 British drama film directed by Berthold Viertel and starring Matheson Lang, Nova Pilbeam and Lydia Sherwood. A young girl slowly becomes aware that her parent's marriage is disintegrating. It was based on a novel by Ernst Lothar and adapted for the screen by Margaret Kennedy...
(Composed 1934) - Peter IbbetsonPeter IbbetsonPeter Ibbetson is an American black-and-white drama film released in 1935 and directed by Henry Hathaway.The picture is based on a novel by George du Maurier, first published in 1891. In 1917, du Maurier's story was adapted into a very successful Broadway play starring John Barrymore, Lionel...
(Composed 1935) - Outcast (Composed 1936)
- On Such a NightOn Such a Night (1937 film)On Such a Night is a 1937 crime film directed by Ewald André Dupont and starring Grant Richards, Karen Morley and Roscoe Karns. It was made by Paramount Pictures and later sold to MGM in 1958 for television release.-Cast:* David Knight...
(Composed 1937) - The Rebel SonThe Rebel SonThe Rebel Son, The Barbarian and the Lady or The Rebel Son of Taras Bulba was a 1938 British film, notable as the first film appearance of Patricia Roc. It is a re-working by Alexander Korda of Granowski's 1935 French film adaptation of the Russian novel Taras Bulba by Nikolai Gogol, set in the...
(1938) - The Cat and the CanaryThe Cat and the Canary (1939 film)The Cat and the Canary starring Bob Hope and Paulette Goddard is a 1939 comedy horror film remake of the 1927 film The Cat and the Canary, which was based on the 1922 play of the same name by John Willard...
(Composed 1939) - The Ghost BreakersThe Ghost BreakersThe Ghost Breakers is a comedy film directed by George Marshall and starring Bob Hope and Paulette Goddard. The movie was adapted by Walter DeLeon from the play The Ghost Breaker by Paul Dickey and Charles W...
(Composed 1940) - Dr. CyclopsDr. CyclopsDr. Cyclops is a science fiction horror film directed by Ernest B. Schoedsack, starring Thomas Coley, Victor Kilian, Janice Logan, Charles Halton, Frank Yaconelli, and Albert Dekker, and released by Paramount Pictures.- Plot summary :...
(Composed 1940) - Ladies in RetirementLadies in RetirementLadies in Retirement is a 1941 film starring Ida Lupino and Louis Hayward. It is based on a 1940 Broadway play of the same title by Reginald Denham and Edward Percy which starred Flora Robson in the lead role....
(Composed 1941) - First Comes Courage (Composed 1943)
- None Shall EscapeNone Shall EscapeNone Shall Escape is a 1944 war film. Even though the film was made during World War II, the setting is a post-war Nuremberg-style war crimes trial...
(Composed 1943) - Address UnknownAddress Unknown (1944 film)Address Unknown is a drama film directed by William Cameron Menzies based on Kathrine Taylor's novel Address Unknown . The film tells the story of two families caught up in the rise of Nazism in Germany prior to the start of World War II....
(Composed 1944) - The UnseenThe Unseen (1945 film)The Unseen is a 1945 film directed by Lewis Allen. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Sound Recording , and is based on the novel Midnight House by Ethel Lina White. The film was Paramount's follow-up to the film The Uninvited .-Cast:...
(Composed 1945)
Books
- Beiträge zur Stilkunde der Melodie (1921) — dissertation for Heidelberg University
- Melodielehre (1923) — based upon the dissertation
- The Shaping Forces in Music: An Inquiry into the Nature of Harmony, Melody, Counterpoint, Form (1948) — uses material from the dissertation