Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

February 14, 1896 in Königsberg, Germany

Death

:

1961

Genre

:

Film

 

 

Vocal

 

Werner Richard Heymann was a German composer and songwriter who was born on February 14, 1896, in Königsberg, East Prussia (now Kaliningrad, Russia). He was the son of a Jewish businessman and grew up in a musical family. Heymann's father played the piano and his mother sang in a choir. Heymann showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of six. Heymann's family moved to Berlin when he was a teenager, and he began studying music at the Berlin Conservatory. He was a talented pianist and composer, and he quickly gained a reputation as a promising young musician. Heymann's early compositions were influenced by the popular music of the time, including ragtime and jazz. In 1914, Heymann was drafted into the German army and served in World War I. He was wounded in battle and spent several months in a military hospital. After the war, Heymann returned to Berlin and resumed his music studies. He began working as a pianist and composer for various cabarets and theaters in Berlin. Heymann's breakthrough came in 1928 when he composed the music for the film "The Blue Angel," starring Marlene Dietrich. The film was a huge success, and Heymann's music became famous around the world. Heymann went on to compose music for many other films, including "The Congress Dances" (1931), "The Three from the Filling Station" (1930), and "The Merry Widow" (1934). Heymann's music was known for its catchy melodies and playful rhythms. He was a master of the waltz, and many of his compositions featured this dance form. Heymann's music was also influenced by the popular music of the time, including jazz and swing. Heymann's career was cut short by the rise of the Nazi party in Germany. Heymann was Jewish, and his music was banned by the Nazis. Heymann fled Germany in 1933 and settled in Paris. He continued to compose music for films, including "La Grande Illusion" (1937) and "The Rules of the Game" (1939). During World War II, Heymann fled to the United States, where he continued to compose music for films. He worked for several Hollywood studios, including Warner Bros. and MGM. Heymann's music was featured in many films, including "Casablanca" (1942), "To Be or Not to Be" (1942), and "The Snows of Kilimanjaro" (1952). Heymann's music was also popular in Europe, and he continued to compose music for French and German films. Heymann won several awards for his music, including the Grand Prix du Disque in France and the Bundesverdienstkreuz in Germany. Heymann died on May 30, 1961, in Munich, Germany. He was 65 years old. Heymann's music continues to be popular today, and his compositions have been recorded by many artists, including Marlene Dietrich, Ella Fitzgerald, and Louis Armstrong. Heymann's music is a testament to his talent as a composer and his ability to capture the spirit of his time.

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