Werner Richard Heymann - Leben und Lieder

WERNER RICHARD HEYMANN (1896-1961), the most famous UFA composer of his time, left behind a large oeuvre that extends far beyond his popular film hits (Irgendwo auf der Welt, Das gibt’s nur einmal). It includes symphonies, chansons for cabaret, operettas, music for the Bühne, for silent films and the sound film operetta of the 1930s (Die Drei von der Tankstelle, Der Kongreß tanzt) and his film compositions in Hollywood, among others. a. o. to Lubitsch's Ninotschka and To Be or Not to Be. From his prosperous and eventful life (LEBEN) tells Heymann in the autobiography published by Schott Music - read by TILMAR KUHN (CD 1). Original sound documents and historical music examples complement the stories from his childhood in Königsberg, the turbulent cultural life of the Weimar Republic in Berlin, from the exile in Paris and Hollywood and the return to Germany. An entirely new approach to Heymann's musical cosmos is opened up by the very personal interpretations of selected songs (LIEDER) - sung by KATHARINE MEHRLING (CD 2). Accompanied alone by an accordion or a piano, electronic beat, a jazz combo or even by the great sounding body of the Babelsberg Film Orchestra, she sings rarely performed songs from the twenties or the French and American exile, up to Das Spiel beginnt, a collaboration between Heymann and Gilbert from 1959, which was recorded for the first time ever. The combination of reading and music on Werner Richard Heymann's life and work creates a lively insight into an important chapter in the cultural history of the 20th century.