Wikipedia

Rudolph Schirmer

Rudolph Edward Schirmer Jr. was a composer, lyricist, and the former chairman of the Board of G. Schirmer Music Inc., an American classical music publishing company.[1] In World War II, he worked in the U.S. Military Intelligence Service during the war in a unit called the Ritchie Boys, which was a unit that consisted of German-speaking personnel for roles in counterintelligence in Europe, translating key information from German prisoners of war (POW), and related services.[2]

G. Schirmer, Inc. cover page of Bériot's Airs Variés. Schirmer was the former chairman of the Board of the music publishing corporation.

Starting in 1949, Schirmer was a prolific song writer for over 20 years. He occasionally used poetry by notable poets or books by notable authors as the lyrics for songs.

In 1968, he wrote Hymn to the Americas (Himno a las Americas in Spanish) which was performed by the Washington National Symphony at the Fourth Inter-American Music Festival in 1968.

Early life

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Rudolph Schirmer was the son of Rudolph Edward Schirmer Sr., the previous publisher and president of G. Schirmer.[3] His grandfather was Gustaf Schirmer, the founder of the G. Schirmer corporation.[4]

Rudolph E. Schirmer Jr. originally attended Princeton University. He later left Princeton during his sophomore year to attend the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where he studied composition under Rosario Scalero. Although he left Princeton to transfer to another school, he is considered a 1941 alumnus by the university.[5]

Music and writing career

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Schirmer's works in music and literature span close to 50 years:

1949

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In 1949, Schirmer was one of the co-writers for the German book 3 Briefe an Kurt Leimer (3 Letters to Kurt Leimer).[6] Kurt Leimer was a German pianist, composer, and piano teacher who had been drafted in World War II into the Wehrmacht (collective of armed forces of Nazi Germany) and became a POW in Livorno, Italy in 1944, as the war was coming to a close.[7] Schirmer worked in the Ritchie Boys unit in WW II, which consisted of German-speaking interrogators for interviewing German POWs. However, it is unclear if Schirmer and Leimer had met during the war.

In terms of musical works, Schirmer had copyrighted the song he had written "Remember thee!" for voice and piano, with words by the English Romantic poet Lord Byron (1788- 1824).[8] The same year, he also wrote the song "Love's Secret" with words by English poet and artist William Blake (1757- 1827)[9] as well as "So we''ll go no more a-roving" with words also by Lord Byron.[10]

1955

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In 1955, he did the music arrangement of "A Child's Prayer", which was a song for three-part chorus of women's voices accompanied by piano. The lyrics were from the 1944 book Prayer for a Child by American novelist, poet, and children's fiction writer Rachel Field (1894-1942), which was a classic bedtime prayer.[11][12]

1960s

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In 1960, Schirmer copyrighted his musical compositions for the musical Forty Ways to Sunday. Some of the compositions can be below in the section named Music for musical 40 ways to Sunday.

Between 1961 and 1963, he wrote the music and lyrics for the following songs:

  • "Bluebird"
  • "Seven Songs"
  • "Don't Mention Love Again"
  • "The Gift of Christmas"
  • "Nobody Wants My Heart"
  • "You"

In 1964, he wrote the novel A Friend in Fantasy: Poems.[13]

In 1968, he wrote Hymn to the Americas (Himno a las Americas in Spanish), which was for a four-part chorus of mixed voices with a soprano solo and piano accompaniment. The Spanish text was written Fernando Flores. It was performed by the Washington National Symphony at the Fourth Inter-American Music Festival in 1968.[14][15]

1998

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In 1998, he was reader/performer for the published audiobook The Doors of Perception, which is reading of the 1954 book of English philosopher and writer Aldous Huxley.[16] The work ties into the earlier works of Schirmer based, in that as the song "Love's Secret" (1949) incorporates the words from the poem of the same name by William Blake, so is the title of "The Door of Perception" from Blake's 1793 book The Marriage of Heaven and Hell:[17]

If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is, Infinite. For man has closed himself up, till he sees all things thro' narrow chinks of his cavern.

Discography (recorded media)

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Title Date Words Music Arrangement Performer
Remember thee! Remember thee! [8] 1949 Romantic poet Lord Byron (1788- 1824) Rudolph Schirmer
Love's Secret[9] 1949 English poet and artist William Blake (1757- 1827) Rudolph Schirmer
So we''ll go no more a-roving[10] 1949 George Gordan Byron (Lord Byron) Rudolph Schirmer
A Child's Prayer:[11]

for three-part chorus of women's voices with piano accompaniment.

1955 American novelist, poet, and children's fiction writer Rachel Field Gustav Klemm Rudolph Schirmer
Yvonne[18] 1957 Rudolph Schirmer Abbey McVay Rudolph Schirmer
United States Victory March[19] 1961 Rudolph

Schirmer

Gene von Hallberg
Bluebird[20][21] 1961 Rudolph Schirmer Rudolph Schirmer
Seven Songs:[22]
  • Form of Wooing.
  • Sound of Laughter.
  • Honey Shun.
  • Wanderlust.
  • Lullaby.
  • Ianthe.
  • My Heart is a River
 1962 Rudolph Schirmer Rudolph Schirmer
Don't Mention Love Again[23] 1963 Rudolph Schirmer Rudolph Schirmer
The Gift of Christmas[24] 1963 Rudolph Schirmer Rudolph Schirmer
Nobody Wants My Heart[25] 1963 Rudolph Schirmer Rudolph Schirmer
You[26] 1963 Rudolph Schirmer Rudolph Schirmer
Hymn to the Americas[14] 1968 Rudolph Schirmer Rudolph Schirmer
The Doors of Perception[16](Audiobook) 1998 English writer and philosopher Aldous Huxley Rudolph Schirmer

Books and poetry (printed media)

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Title Author
3 Briefe an Kurt Leimer[6] 1949 Hans W. Heinsheimer, Kurt Leimer, Gustave Schirmer, Rudolph Schirmer
A Poem for Spain: Santa Cruz del Valle de Los Caidos[27] Rudolph Schirmer
A Friend in Fantasy; Poems[28] 1964 Rudolph Schirmer
Introduction to Art Song. Mezzo-soprano/alto : Songs in English for Classical Voice Students.[29] 2016 Joan Frey Boytim (Compiler), Laura Ward (Instrumentalist), Brendan Fox (Instrumentalist), Richard Hageman, C. Alison-Crompton, Rudolph Schirmer, Easthope Martin, Carl Hahn, Herbert Kingsley, Eric H. Thiman, Clara Edwards, Franco Leoni, Samuel Barber, Thomas Linley, William Schuman, Thomas Vincent Cator, John Jacob Niles, Roger Quilter, Thomas Augustine Arne

Personal life

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On February 8, 1958, Schirmer married Iris Flores, film actress and the granddaughter of the former president of Costa Rica, the late Rafael Yglesias Castro in New York City.[30]

Lyrics for Love's Secret

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The William Blake poem Love's Secret were the lyrics for the Schirmer song of the same name. The poem is presently in the public domain:[31]

Never seek to tell thy love,

 Love that never told can be;

For the gentle wind doth move

 Silently, invisibly.

I told my love, I told my love,

 I told her all my heart,

Trembling, cold, in ghastly fears.

 Ah! she did depart!

Soon after she was gone from me,

 A traveller came by,

Silently, invisibly:

 He took her with a sigh.

Music for musical Forty Ways to Sunday

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In 1960, Schirmer copyrighted his musical compositions for the musical Forty Ways to Sunday. The following are the majority of the songs:

Forty Ways to Sunday
Title Words Music
Forty Ways to Sunday[32] Rudolph Schirmer Rudolph Schirmer
Biggest Little City[33] Rudolph Schirmer Rudolph Schirmer
Divorcing Quietly[34] Rudolph Schirmer Rudolph Schirmer
Don't Be a Martyr[35] Rudolph Schirmer Rudolph Schirmer
Evening Star[36] Rudolph Schirmer Rudolph Schirmer
Gosh, Darn, Dern It[37] Rudolph Schirmer Rudolph Schirmer
Him Again[38] Rudolph Schirmer Rudolph Schirmer
I Get a Yen[39] Rudolph Schirmer Rudolph Schirmer
I Wonder if I'll Ever Fall in Love?[40] Rudolph Schirmer Rudolph Schirmer
It's a Glowing[41] Rudolph Schirmer Rudolph Schirmer
Just Do It[42] Rudolph Schirmer Rudolph Schirmer
Little Old We[43] Rudolph Schirmer Rudolph Schirmer
Lullaby[44] Rudolph Schirmer Rudolph Schirmer
A Man Has to Get Away[45] Rudolph Schirmer Rudolph Schirmer
My Man O' War[46] Rudolph Schirmer Rudolph Schirmer
Wandering Man[47] Rudolph Schirmer Rudolph Schirmer
Pullin' Up Stakes[48] Rudolph Schirmer Rudolph Schirmer
See You Later[49] Rudolph Schirmer Rudolph Schirmer
Slot Machine[50] Rudolph Schirmer Rudolph Schirmer
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  •  
    An example of a G. Schirmer publication. Schirmer was the former chairman of the board of the music publishing company G. Schirmer.
  •  
    Rudolph Schirmer Jr's father, Rudolph Schirmer, who was the earlier president of G. Schirmer.

References

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  1. ^ "Paid Notice: Deaths SCHIRMER, RUDOLPH EDWARD". The New York Times. 2000-12-03. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-07-16.
  2. ^ Service and Citizenship: Examining the Historical Relationship between Immigration and Military Service in the United States...Page 68 (kennesaw.edu)
  3. ^ Webmaster (2020-05-03). "Rudolf Schirmer (1859-1919)". Mahler Foundation. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  4. ^ "G. Schirmer / AMP". www.wisemusicclassical.com. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  5. ^ "Rudolph Edward Schirmer '41". Princeton Alumni Weekly. 2016-01-21. Retrieved 2024-07-16.
  6. ^ a b Heinsheimer, Hans W., et al. 3 Briefe an Kurt Leimer. 1949.
  7. ^ "Kurt Leimer Stiftung". www.kurtleimer.ch. Retrieved 2024-07-19.
  8. ^ a b Remember thee! remember thee! For voice and piano, by Rudolph Schirmer, (words by Lord Byron) Copyright: G. Schirmer, Inc. 22 August 1949, EP39818
  9. ^ a b Love's Secret; for voice and piano, by Rudolph Schirmer, (word by William Blake. Copyright by G. Schirmer, Inc., 19 August 1949; EP40084.
  10. ^ a b So we'll go no more a-roving; for voice and piano, by Rudolph Schirmer, (words by Lord Byron). Copyright G. Schirmer, Inc., 19 August 1948; EP40085.
  11. ^ a b Type of Work: Music Registration Number / Date: RE0000189852 / 1983-12-12 Renewal registration for: PA0000196258 / 1955-05-17 Title: A Child’s prayer. For three-part chorus of women’s voices with piano acc. Arr. Rudolph Schirmer. Copyright Claimant: Rudolph Schirmer (A) Basis of Claim: New Matter: "arr." WebVoyage Record View 1 (loc.gov)
  12. ^ Field, Rachel (2004). Prayer for a child. Internet Archive. New York : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN 978-0-689-87356-0.
  13. ^ A Friend in Fantasy. 1st edition. Exposition Press, 204 pages. Copyright: Rudolph Schirmer, 24 June 1964. A720277,
  14. ^ a b Hymn to the Americas. Words & music: Rudolph Schirmer. Copyright G. Schirmer. 18 June 1968. EP247185
  15. ^ Times, Allen Hughesspecial To the New York (1968-06-25). "A SCHIRMER WORK GIVEN AT FESTIVAL; First U.S. Piece Is Offered at Inter-American Series". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  16. ^ a b Type of Work: Sound Recording Registration Number / Date: SR0000179059 / 1999-06-21 Title: The doors of perception / by Aldous Huxley. Description: 2 sound cassettes. Performer: Read by Rudolph Schirmer. Copyright Claimant: ℗ Audio Partners Publishing Corporation (employer for hire) Date of Creation: 1998 Date of Publication: 1998-08-14 Previous Registration: Text preexisting. Basis of Claim: New Matter: sound recording. Names: Huxley, Aldous Schirmer, Rudolph Audio Partners Publishing Corporation
  17. ^ Aldous Huxley - The Doors of Perception.pdf (archive.org)
  18. ^ Yvonne. Words and arrangement: Rudolph Schirmer. Music: Abbey McVay. Copyright Rudolph Schirmer & Abbey McVay. 8 March 1957, EU470255
  19. ^ United State Victory March. Music: Rudolph Schirmer. Arranged for band by Gene von Hallberg. Copyright: G. Schirmer. 11 November 1966. EP223860.
  20. ^ Type of Work: Music Registration Number / Date: RE0000429000 / 1989-02-09 Renewal registration for: EP0000150403 / 1961-03-24 Title: Bluebird. For voice and piano. w & m Rudolph Schirmer. Copyright Claimant: Rudolph Schirmer (A) Variant title: Bluebird WebVoyage Record View 1 (loc.gov)
  21. ^ "Bluebird : for voice and piano | WorldCat.org". search.worldcat.org. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
  22. ^ Schirmer, Rudolph. Seven Songs. For Voice and Piano ... [1.] Form of Wooing. [2.] Sound of Laughter. [3.] Honey Shun. [4.] Wanderlust. [5.] Lullaby. [6.] Ianthe. [7.] My Heart Is a River. G. Schirmer, 1962.
  23. ^ Type of Work: Music Registration Number / Date: RE0000525156 / 1991-02-08 Renewal registration for: EP0000181049 / 1963-11-01 Title: Don’t mention love again. For voice & piano. w & m Rudolph Schirmer. Copyright Claimant: Rudolph Schirmer (A) Variant title: Don’t mention love again WebVoyage Record View 1 (loc.gov)
  24. ^ Type of Work: Music Registration Number / Date: RE0000525126 / 1991-02-08 Renewal registration for: EP0000181050 / 1963-11-01 Title: The Gift of Christmas. For voice & piano. w & m Rudolph Schirmer. Copyright Claimant: Rudolph Schirmer (A) Variant title: The Gift of Christmas WebVoyage Record View 1 (loc.gov)
  25. ^ Type of Work: Music Registration Number / Date: RE0000525160 / 1991-02-08 Renewal registration for: EP0000181048 / 1963-11-01 Title: Nobody wants my heart. For voice & piano. w & m Rudolph Schirmer. Copyright Claimant: Rudolph Schirmer (A) Variant title: Nobody wants my heart
  26. ^ Type of Work: Music Registration Number / Date: RE0000525125 / 1991-02-08 Renewal registration for: EP0000181047 / 1963-11-01 Title: You. For voice & piano. w & m Rudolph Schirmer. Copyright Claimant: Rudolph Schirmer (A) Variant title: You
  27. ^ Schirmer, Rudolph. A Poem for Spain: Santa Cruz Del Valle de Los Caidos. Schirmer, Ronald.
  28. ^ Schirmer, Rudolph. A Friend in Fantasy; Poems. Exposition Press, 1964.
  29. ^ Boytim, Joan Frey, et al. Introduction to Art Song. Mezzo-Soprano/Alto : Songs in English for Classical Voice Students. G. Schirmer, Inc., 2016, https://www.halleonard.com/mylibrary/.
  30. ^ "MRS.'IRIS FLOS. REMARRIED 'HERE; Wed to Rudolph Schirmer Music Publisher, in Home of Bridegroom's Mother". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-07-16.
  31. ^ Poets, Academy of American. "Love's Secret by William Blake - Poems | Academy of American Poets". Poets.org. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  32. ^ Forty Ways to Sunday; from Forty Way to Sunday, w & m Rudolph Schirmer. 10 October 1960. EU643252
  33. ^ Biggest Little City; from Forty Way to Sunday, w & m Rudolph Schirmer. 10 October 1960. EU643260
  34. ^ Divorcing Quietly; from Forty Way to Sunday, w & m Rudolph Schirmer. 10 October 1960. EU643261
  35. ^ Don't Be a Martyr; from Forty Way to Sunday, w & m Rudolph Schirmer. 10 October 1960. EU643242
  36. ^ Evening Star; from Forty Way to Sunday, w & m Rudolph Schirmer. 10 October 1960. EU643233
  37. ^ Gosh, Darn, Dern It; from Forty Way to Sunday, w & m Rudolph Schirmer. 10 October 1960. EU643250
  38. ^ Him Again; from Forty Way to Sunday, w & m Rudolph Schirmer. 10 October 1960. EU643244
  39. ^ I Get a Yen; from Forty Way to Sunday, w & m Rudolph Schirmer. 10 October 1960. EU643251
  40. ^ I Wonder if I'll Ever Fall in Love. From Forty Way to Sunday, w & m: Rudolph Schirmer. Copyright Rudolph Schirmer. 10 October 1960; EU643250
  41. ^ It's a Glowing. From Forty Way to Sunday, w & m: Rudolph Schirmer. Copyright Rudolph Schirmer. 10 October 1960; EU643236
  42. ^ Just Do It. From Forty Way to Sunday, w & m: Rudolph Schirmer. Copyright Rudolph Schirmer. 10 October 1960; EU643234
  43. ^ Little Old We. From Forty Way to Sunday, w & m: Rudolph Schirmer. Copyright Rudolph Schirmer. 10 October 1960; EU643234
  44. ^ Lullaby. From Forty Way to Sunday, w & m: Rudolph Schirmer. Copyright Rudolph Schirmer. 10 October 1960; EU643256
  45. ^ A Man Has to Get Away. From Forty Way to Sunday, w & m: Rudolph Schirmer. Copyright Rudolph Schirmer. 10 October 1960; EU643257
  46. ^ My Man O' War. From Forty Way to Sunday, w & m: Rudolph Schirmer. Copyright Rudolph Schirmer. 10 October 1960; EU643241
  47. ^ Wandering Man. From Forty Way to Sunday, w & m: Rudolph Schirmer. Copyright Rudolph Schirmer. 10 October 1960; EU643238
  48. ^ Pullin' Up Stakes. From Forty Way to Sunday, w & m: Rudolph Schirmer. Copyright Rudolph Schirmer. 10 October 1960; EU643245
  49. ^ See You Later. From Forty Way to Sunday, w & m: Rudolph Schirmer. Copyright Rudolph Schirmer. 10 October 1960; EU643240
  50. ^ Slot Machine. From Forty Way to Sunday, w & m: Rudolph Schirmer. Copyright Rudolph Schirmer. 10 October 1960; EU643258
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Sheet music of "Bluebird" by Schirmer

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