Werner Richard Heymann - The Symphonic Works

[Wheesht]

Something that I for one have been waiting to hear for a long time: the early symphonic works of Werner Richard Heymann, who later became famous as one of the great composers of early German films, until he had to emigrate, being Jewish. In the US he wrote the scores to around fifty films, among them classics such as Ninotchka and To Be or Not to Be.

His Rhapsodic Symphony (in one movement of six parts) was first performed by the Vienna Philharmonic, conducted by Felix Weingartner, in 1918 when the composer was just 22.
Excerpts here at Presto Music (downloads only) or on the label's own website.
A biography can be found here.

[Alan Howe]

Very indulgent. Very nice!

[brendangcarroll]

Delighted that we can finally hear this music! Thank you for sharing details.

[Alan Howe]

Here's the CD:
https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8704338--heymann-works-for-orchestra-rolf-rudin-fausts-geheimnis-op-96

[Wheesht]

Indeed, but not released until September, whereas
JPC have it in stock.

[Ilja]

It's also on Spotify.

[Sharkkb8]

It's also on Spotify.

...and iTunes (released last Nov), or Apple Music for subscribers.

https://music.apple.com/us/album/heymann-works-for-orchestra-rolf-rudin-fausts-geheimnis/1486462070

[Ilja]

I just gave this a listen and it's very, very good. The symphony is evidently part of a world that included such people as Schmidt and Korngold, but it also reminds me (harmonically) of Hermann von Glenck's Carita Eterna symphony. Of the other pieces, the much later symphonic poem Fausts Geheimnis is the most substantial. A must-buy for anyone who likes this sort of repertory, I'd say.


BTW, just curious: any relationship to Klaus?

[Wheesht]

I absolutely agree that's this is very good music. Thank you for mentioning von Glenck – I wouldn't have thought of him but as I have the Musikszene Schweiz von Glenck double CD in my collection, I'll play it soon.