The film music of Hans Werner Henze
This list includes music for two kinds of films: those in which Hans Werner Henze was commissioned to write the music and films in which existing compositions by the composer are included in the soundtrack. The list does not include any operas, ballets, concerts, or any documentaries about the composer.
[1] "GREED" (1976)
Schott Music's "Hans Werner Henze: A Catalogue of Works 1946-1996" and the Hans Werner Henze Foundation's list of works states that Henze wrote piano and percussion improvisations, now lost (according to Schott), for Erich von Stoheim's film "Greed" (1924). They premiered in 1976 in Brighton. Bill Douglas refers to the music in his correspondence with Henze (see "Comrades" below).
[2] "ARCHITECTURE AT THE CROSSROADS" (1985)
In 1985 Hans Werner Henze wrote the title music for the series "Architecture at the Crossroads" for celesta, vibraphon, marimba, timpani, percussion, harp and piano.
Some of the episodes in the series may be viewed at this link and on YouTube: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01qcrds
Details about the series may be found here:
http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/34808058?q&versionId=43152795
The 30 second composition has been isolated and may be heard here: https://youtu.be/mVUPDIUlwN0 [now deleted]
The 30 second composition may be heard at the beginning of this BBC episode: https://youtu.be/ZKHAH-aMxDc
IMDb references only one of the ten episodes in its data base.
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Additional information about most of these sixteen titles may be found at the Hans Werner-Henze-Siftung (foundation) website:
http://www.hans-werner-henze-stiftung.de/home/
and at the Schott Music website:
https://en.schott-music.com/shop/authordata/Authordata/view/id/8708/
[1] "GREED" (1976)
Schott Music's "Hans Werner Henze: A Catalogue of Works 1946-1996" and the Hans Werner Henze Foundation's list of works states that Henze wrote piano and percussion improvisations, now lost (according to Schott), for Erich von Stoheim's film "Greed" (1924). They premiered in 1976 in Brighton. Bill Douglas refers to the music in his correspondence with Henze (see "Comrades" below).
[2] "ARCHITECTURE AT THE CROSSROADS" (1985)
In 1985 Hans Werner Henze wrote the title music for the series "Architecture at the Crossroads" for celesta, vibraphon, marimba, timpani, percussion, harp and piano.
Some of the episodes in the series may be viewed at this link and on YouTube: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01qcrds
Details about the series may be found here:
http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/34808058?q&versionId=43152795
The 30 second composition has been isolated and may be heard here: https://youtu.be/mVUPDIUlwN0 [now deleted]
The 30 second composition may be heard at the beginning of this BBC episode: https://youtu.be/ZKHAH-aMxDc
IMDb references only one of the ten episodes in its data base.
**********
Additional information about most of these sixteen titles may be found at the Hans Werner-Henze-Siftung (foundation) website:
http://www.hans-werner-henze-stiftung.de/home/
and at the Schott Music website:
https://en.schott-music.com/shop/authordata/Authordata/view/id/8708/
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- DirectorAlain ResnaisStarsDelphine SeyrigJean-Pierre KérienNita KleinIn the seaside town of Boulogne, no one seems to be able to cope with their past, least of all Hélène, an antique furniture saleswoman, her stepson Bernard, and her former lover Alphonse."Muriel ou Le temps d'un retour" (original title)
1/ Hans Werner Henze Foundation:
http://www.hans-werner-henze-stiftung.de/en/hans-werner-henze/list-of-works/detail/news/detail/News/muriel-ou-le-temps-dun-retour/
For the film Henze used material from his 1963 composition "Being Beauteous."
2/ Wikipedia entry:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muriel_(film)
"Music for the film was written by Hans Werner Henze who picked up the visual principle of multiple fixed camera shots by adopting a musical style which mirrored the fragmentation of the film structure. A series of verses, by [Jean] Cayrol, are sung throughout the film (by Rita Streich); the relative lack of clarity of the words on the soundtrack was attributed by Resnais to the effect of having a German composer (who at the time did not speak French) setting French words."
3/ This almost 4 minute long film trailer contains a nice sampling of Henze's music:
https://youtu.be/WU7cKXfk2R4
4/ The complete film may be viewed here for free:
https://youtu.be/4VuiF3-KtUE
5/Over the years there has been one CD and two LPs issued that contain music from the film. The "Milan" label LP issued in 1984 is the most generous with about 12 minutes of music from the film on 12 tracks. - DirectorVolker SchlöndorffStarsMathieu CarrièreMarian SeidowskyBernd TischerIn a boarding school, a student observes in passive disgust as his two friends manipulate, humiliate and torture a fellow student, justifying their every act."Der junge Törless" (original title)
The Region 2/PAL DVD issued by ArtHaus includes a special feature where you can listen to the soundtrack without the picture or dialogue. There it is divided into 10 separate non-continuous tracks and includes a commentary by the director.
The music for this film was recorded with medieval instruments. Henze arranged some of the music for string orchestra in 1966, and it would become the fifteen minute long 'Fantasia für Streicher' ('Fantasia for Strings'). The 'Allegro' from the string arrangement would go on to accompany the closing credits of 'The Exorcist.' In "Der junge Törless" the music of the 'Allegro,' as played on medieval instruments, accompanies the rape of Basini.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_T%C3%B6rless
There are 44 photographs here:
http://www.filmportal.de/film/der-junge-toerless_99e61a15d395494594232abb83e2d460 - DirectorHelmut MeewesHerbert RimbachVolker SchlöndorffStarsEric P. CasparHans KrausHelmuth LohnerFive film directors were given the task of making short films based on titles of drawings by Paul Klee.also known as "The Tympanist"
Henze wrote the music for the short film "Ein unheimlicher Moment" by Volker Schlöndorff, one of five films included in this compilation.
Here are a series of stills on producer Franz Seitz's website.
http://www.franzseitz.de/filme.html?view=movie&movie_id=66
Here are additional details and 5 more photos:
http://www.filmportal.de/film/paukenspieler-2-ep-ein-unheimlicher-moment_dcb9c7b8c3b742b898fcc7759d159eff
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Der_Paukenspieler - DirectorWilliam FriedkinStarsEllen BurstynMax von SydowLinda BlairWhen a young girl is possessed by a mysterious entity, her mother seeks the help of two Catholic priests to save her life.The music for the closing credits of 'The Exorcist' includes the 'Allegro' from 'Fantasia for Strings.' The 'Fantasia for Strings' is Henze's arrangement of the music he composed for the film 'Young Torless' (1966). In 'Young Torless' the music is composed for ancient instruments and the 'Allegro' accompanies the scene 'The Rape of Basini.'
Hans Werner Henze did not write music expressly for 'The Exorcist' However. his music will be with us forever because of the popularity of this film. - DirectorVolker SchlöndorffMargarethe von TrottaStarsAngela WinklerMario AdorfDieter LaserA young woman's life is scrutinized by police and tabloid press after she spends the night with a suspected terrorist."Die verlorene Ehre der Katharina Blum" (original title)
Here is more information and 130 photos: http://www.filmportal.de/film/die-verlorene-ehre-der-katharina-blum_af809b45f8334047aa1df47a0931f8fa
Here is the "Katharina Blum" concert suite for small orchestra arranged and conducted by Henze:
https://youtu.be/77p76fi4uA8 - DirectorFranz SeitzStarsChristian KohlundHelmut QualtingerSusanne UhlenTwo women jilted by their veterinary-assistant lover take excruciating revenge.also known as "Abelard - Die Entmannung"
This link will take you to Franz Seitz's website. It includes 15 stills from the film.
http://www.franzseitz.de/film-abelard.html?view=movie&movie_id=1
Here is some additional information:
http://www.filmportal.de/film/abelard_529814b0841443d5a5f53d07fb7690bc - DirectorBernhard SinkelStarsJacques BreuerEva Maria MeinekeWolfgang ReichmannA young man seeks freedom and eventually gets conformed. To escape society, he wanders south. After some adventures he returns to his lover, where he expects a civil career."Taugenichts" (original title)
aka "The Good-for-Nothing" ("Der Taugenichts")
Henze's music was composed for voices, mens choir and ensemble
Text by Pietro Metastasio
Clips from the film can be seen here.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCB485D2C2F6FD5F0
Details and photos at Bernhard Sinkel's website:
http://www.bernhardsinkel.com/webspace/Taugenichts_Synopsis.html
Here are production details and three more photos:
http://www.filmportal.de/film/taugenichts_0f419e1622554ac3bdaac6e3597c579d - DirectorJosé Montes-BaquerStarsJean-François BalmerAlberto CupidoCarmen GonzálezThe actual title of the film is "Montezuma" This is from director José Montes-Baquer's Wikipedia article:
The film is titled „Montezuma “ based on the novel „Concierto Barroco“ by Alejo Carpentier (1981)
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Montes-Baquer
Henze's music was composed for piano, harpsichord, organ and strings and it is dated 1980 by Henze's publisher Schott. Later the music was arranged and then published in a concert version as "Triplo concerto barocco" (duration: about 10 minutes). This is from the Schott website: "Hans Werner Henze skilfully spans the distance between the Baroque and modern periods in his music for José Montes-Baquer’s film ’Montezuma’ dating from 1980, undertaking an entertaining journey through time and different countries accompanied by the protagonist of this story. Around twenty years later, Henze made a concert version for three quasi-solo instruments and chamber orchestra. The first movement begins with the tuning of the instruments. This general unrest is followed by an Allegro vivace in which the swinging Baroque dance style gradually breaks out of its harmonic and tonal constraints and is subsequently blended with bizarre rhythms. The concluding Tarantella begins with the virtuoso piano part, building up gradually into a contrapuntal texture incorporating jazz elements and tonal explorations to a dazzling climax." http://www.schott-music.com/shop/9/show,152545.html
per Wikipedia's article on writer Alejo Carpentier:
"Concierto barroco (1974) (Concierto barroco; English: Baroque Concert), based on the 1709 meeting of Vivaldi, Handel and Domenico Scarlatti, with cameo appearances by Wagner and Stravinsky, and fictional characters from the new world who inspire the Venetian composer's opera, Motezuma."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alejo_Carpentier - DirectorPiers HaggardStarsPenelope KeithVirginia McKennaRonald PickupLonely people in a quiet hotel find their lives shaken up by the arrival of the glamorous, assertive Helen Lancaster.Hans Werner Henze did not write music for the film. The soundtrack includes Henze's "Lucy Escott Variations" (1963). The film is available for viewing on YouTube.
https://youtu.be/UfsUDsj9bUU - DirectorIsmo SajakorpiStarsSatu SilvoEero MelasniemiGeorg DolivoAfter a suicide attempt, a woman finds herself haunted by a ghostly figure.This is a Finnish made-for-TV horror movie for which Henze's music is included in the soundtrack. My best guess is that it was a pre-existing composition licensed for use and not a commission. I do not know what composition was used, but not unlike "The Exorcist," music by Penderecki was also included in the soundtrack.
Here is a trailer for the film:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwKtMA_-ips - DirectorJorge Silva MeloStarsMichael KönigManuela de FreitasLuís Miguel CintraThe dates of the exhibit have been set. Bernd Hoffmann is in Lisbon, which he had already visited in 1974, when he met the young artist Hanna Brauer. The exhibit will present paintings by both artists. Bernd is waiting for Hanna, but neither she nor her paintings seem to have arrived in Portugal. And yet he knows that the woman is in Lisbon. He looks for her among his old revolutionary friends, then turns to the police for help. He discovers that Hanna is dead. A natural death? Suicide?This title translates 'Nobody Twice.' For the film Henze composed 'Nach Lissabon' (viola, guitar and organ).
Schott dates the music from 1982.
Here are four stills from the film:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151935459714271.1073741864.253549349270&type=3 - DirectorVolker SchlöndorffStarsJeremy IronsOrnella MutiAlain DelonIn Belle Époque Paris, a 19th century Parisian aristocrat (Jeremy Irons) falls in love with a lower-class prostitute (Ornella Muti) who seduces him but never loves him."Un amour de Swann" (original title)
per Hans Werner Henze-Stiftung: "Composition realized by collaboration of students of Henze’s Cologne composition class: David Paul Graham, Gerd Kühr and Marcel Wengler."
Here are detailed credits and 19 photos:
http://www.filmportal.de/film/eine-liebe-von-swann_2249b1973b32471abcc85edf019e9874
The music, conducted by the composer, may be heard here:
https://youtu.be/GpUWYf_Jodw - DirectorAlain ResnaisStarsSabine AzémaFanny ArdantPierre ArditiElisabeth and Simon have been deeply in love for two months when Simon momentarily dies, but comes back to life. Simon does not want any further medical tests, but the couple are forced to grapple with the possibility of his death. They eventually tell their close friends Jérôme and Judith Martignac about the event. The Martignacs are both clerics, and Judith has just been giving a funeral service for a villager who committed suicide, though Jérôme would have nothing to do with suicide..."L'amour à mort" (original title)
The film music, conducted by the composer, may be heard here:
https://youtu.be/LnCmQ7F_8Pg
The music was incorporated into a concert version "Sonate für sechs Spieler" (1984). It is available in this YouTube playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdVu6upO-yscgzRwAThhWWtX-bVNR3spZ - DirectorBill DouglasStarsRobin SoansWilliam GaminaraStephen BatemanThe story of "The Tolpuddle Martyrs". A group of nineteenth century English farm laborers who formed one of the first trade unions and started a campaign to receive fair wages.described by Henze's publisher Schott as "Comrades" (Sketches) Music for a Film for Percussion and Strings"
Wikipedia entry:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comrades_(film)
A discussion of the film accompanied by some of the music is available here:
https://youtu.be/mr8x25uKVME
"Douglas’ choice of modern classical composer Hans Werner Henze to write the music for Comrades was made on the basis of having heard his score for Erich von Stroheim’s silent masterpiece Greed. There’s a letter written to Henze in the corner of the museum dedicated to Douglas which attests to this." http://sparksinelectricaljelly.blogspot.com/2013/04/comrades-and-pre-cinema-at-bill-douglas.html