Viktor Ullmann
Upcoming Performances
About Viktor Ullmann
I have written quite a lot of new music in Theresienstadt: it must be underlined … that we do not merely sit on the banks of the waters of Babylon, and that our endeavour with respect for arts was commensurate with our will to live. (Viktor Ullmann)
Viktor Ullmann was born in Teschen (Cieszyn) on 1 January 1898. He moved with his mother to Vienna in 1909 where he received his first lessons in music theory with Josef Polnauer in 1914. In 1916, he was called up to perform his military service. After the end of the war, he initially enrolled to study law at the University of Vienna, but also participated in Arnold Schoenberg’s composition seminars in Mödling from October 1918. He additionally received further piano tuition from Eduard Steuermann. Following Schoenberg’s recommendation, he was admitted into the foundation committee of the "Verein für musikalische Privataufführungen” [Society for Private Musical Performance] on 6 December 1918, but relocated to Prague a year later. Following further tuition in composition with Heinrich Jalowetz, he took over Anton Webern’s position as choir director and répétiteur at the New German Theatre in 1920 where, two years later, he was promoted to the position of Kapellmeister by Alexander von Zemlinsky. In 1927, Ullmann became head of opera for one season in Aussig and subsequently undertook an engagement as Kapellmeister and composer of incidental music from 1929 to 1931 at the Schauspielhaus in Zurich. Influenced by Rudolf Steiner’s anthroposophy, Ullmann later managed an anthroposophic bookshop for two years in Stuttgart (1931/32) before returning to Prague as a freelance musician, teacher, composer and journalist. He attended Alois Hába’s courses in quartertone composition between 1935 and 1937. Following the establishment of the “German Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia” in 1939, all public performances of composers of Jewish origin were prohibited. Ullmann was incarcerated in the concentration camp Theresienstadt on 8 September 1942 where he undertook the organisation of the so-called "Freizeitgestaltung" [leisure time administration] together with Hans Krása, Gideon Klein and Rafael Schächter. On 16 October 1944, Ullmann was deported to Auschwitz where he was killed only a few days later.
The rediscovery of Ullmann’s works has a direct connection with the success story of the Kaiser von Atlantis. Ullmann composed this one-act opera in 1943/44 against the background of his impressions of the Theresienstadt ghetto. The libretto was written by one of his fellow inmates Peter Kien: as a result of war and mass slaughter, death refuses to carry out its services. The dictator who has thereby lost his greatest weapon – deterrence – loses all his powers. Death only regains its real purpose at the end and becomes the comforter of humans. Unlike the melodrama Die Weise von Liebe und Tod des Cornet Christoph Rilke for narrator and piano or orchestra based on a text by Rilke (1944), the opera was not performed in Theresienstadt and the posthumous première did not take place until 1975 in Amsterdam.
Ullmann did however achieve consummate success during his lifetime with his Schoenberg Variations: the Variationen und Doppelfuge über ein Thema von Arnold Schönberg have survived in two versions for piano (1929 and 1933/34) in addition to versions for string quartet (1939) and orchestra (1934) and among Ullmann’s entire output display the greatest affinity to the Second Viennese School. A large proportion of Ullmann’s compositions from the 1920s and 1930s must be considered as having been lost, but surviving works include the Concerto for piano and orchestra (1939) and the seven Piano Sonatas, of which Nos. 5 and 7 also exist as a reconstructed symphony. The broad spectrum of Ullmann’s compositional development can be observed in the Lieder for voice and piano: from Wendla im Garten based on Wedekind’s “Frühlings Erwachen” (1918/1943) and the Liederbuch des Hafis based on Bethge (1940) to the Hölderlin Lieder composed in Theresienstadt, Late Romantic influences can be discerned alongside echoes of Zemlinsky’s tonal language and the Neue Sachlichkeit [New Objectivity] of Kurt Weill.
Ullmann was awarded the Hertzka Prize for his compositions on two occasions: 1934 for the orchestral version of the Schoenberg Variations and 1936 for the opera Der Sturz des Antichrist composed a year previously on a libretto by Albert Steffens.
Worklist
Gallery
Chronology
Moved with his mother to Vienna
Piano lessons with Eduard Steuermann
Registered as law student at the University of Vienna
At the end of the year Ullmann joined Arnold Schoenberg's seminar on composition
On 6 December, at the suggestion of Schoenberg, he became a member of the foundation committee of the "Society for Private Musical Performances"
The large number of compositions created during this period have to be regarded as lost, with the exception of a later version of "Variationen, Phantasie und Doppelfuge über ein kleines Klavierstück von Arnold Schönberg"
After the Nazis had seized power, he fled to Prague with his wife and his one-year old son Max; there he worked as a free-lance musician as from mid 1933
Worked in Leo Kestenberg's "International Society for Music Education"
Negotiations on planned performances (Vienna 1935 and Prague 1937) failed
On 8 September Ullmann, his third wife Elisabeth (together with a daughter from her first marriage) and his first wife Martha were deported to the concentration camp at Theresienstadt
At Theresienstadt Ullmann continued to work intensively as a composer, interpreter and reviewer. He was director of the Studio for New Music which had a great influence on the musical life at Theresienstadt. Among the numerous works created there, most of which are lost, were the opera "Der Kaiser von Atlantis" and the "String Quartet No.3"
Products
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"Von meiner Jugend"Composer: Viktor UllmannMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: orchestra
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für Orchester D-DurComposer: Viktor UllmannMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: orchestra
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from: Brezulinka. Drei jiddische LiederComposer: Viktor UllmannEditor: Axel Bauni | Christian HoeschMedia Type: E-score PDFInstrumentation: voice and pianoLanguage: French, German, EnglishProduct number: ED 8199 Q7538In stock€2.99Incl. Tax
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from: Hölderlin-LiederComposer: Viktor UllmannEditor: Axel Bauni | Christian HoeschMedia Type: E-score PDFInstrumentation: high voice and pianoLanguage: French, German, EnglishProduct number: ED 8199 Q7535In stock€2.99Incl. Tax
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(in memoriam Ana Frank)Composer: Viktor UllmannArranger: Pedro HalffterMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: string orchestra
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zum "Kaiser von Atlantis"Composer: Viktor UllmannArranger: Pedro HalffterMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: large orchestra
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zum "Kaiser von Atlantis"Composer: Viktor UllmannArranger: Pedro HalffterMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: ensemble (or chamber orchestra)
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from: Fünf Liebeslieder nach Ricarda HuchComposer: Viktor UllmannEditor: Axel Bauni | Christian HoeschMedia Type: E-score PDFInstrumentation: soprano and pianoLanguage: French, German, EnglishProduct number: ED 8199 Q7490In stock€2.99Incl. Tax
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from: Sechs Lieder nach Gedichten von Albert SteffenComposer: Viktor UllmannEditor: Axel Bauni | Christian HoeschMedia Type: E-score PDFInstrumentation: soprano and pianoLanguage: French, German, EnglishProduct number: ED 8199 Q7483In stock€2.99Incl. Tax
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Der Kaiser von AtlantisComposer: Viktor UllmannEditor: Claudia EderMedia Type: E-score PDFInstrumentation: baritone or bass and pianoLanguage: GermanProduct number: ED 21142 Q25313In stock€2.99Incl. Tax
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from: Sechs Lieder nach Gedichten von Albert SteffenComposer: Viktor UllmannEditor: Axel Bauni | Christian HoeschMedia Type: E-score PDFInstrumentation: soprano and pianoLanguage: French, German, EnglishProduct number: ED 8199 Q7488In stock€2.99Incl. Tax
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Sonnet XVIIIComposer: Viktor UllmannEditor: Axel Bauni | Christian HoeschMedia Type: E-score PDFInstrumentation: high voice and pianoLanguage: French, German, EnglishProduct number: ED 8199 Q7511In stock€2.99Incl. Tax
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from: Brezulinka. Drei jiddische LiederComposer: Viktor UllmannEditor: Axel Bauni | Christian HoeschMedia Type: E-score PDFInstrumentation: voice and pianoLanguage: French, German, EnglishProduct number: ED 8199 Q7536In stock€2.99Incl. Tax
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from: Liederbuch des HafisComposer: Viktor UllmannEditor: Axel Bauni | Christian HoeschMedia Type: E-score PDFInstrumentation: bass and pianoLanguage: French, German, EnglishProduct number: ED 8199 Q7504In stock€2.99Incl. Tax
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from: Der Mensch und sein TagComposer: Viktor UllmannEditor: Axel Bauni | Christian HoeschMedia Type: E-score PDFInstrumentation: baritone and pianoLanguage: French, German, EnglishProduct number: ED 8199 Q7520In stock€2.99Incl. Tax
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3 Yiddish SongsComposer: Viktor UllmannEditor: David BlochMedia Type: Sheet musicInstrumentation: high Voice and PianoProduct number: ED 8754Out of stock€10.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping
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Sonett XXVIIIComposer: Viktor UllmannEditor: Axel Bauni | Christian HoeschMedia Type: E-score PDFInstrumentation: soprano and pianoLanguage: French, German, EnglishProduct number: ED 8199 Q7500In stock€2.99Incl. Tax
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from: Geistliche LiederComposer: Viktor UllmannEditor: Axel Bauni | Christian HoeschMedia Type: E-score PDFInstrumentation: high voice and pianoLanguage: French, German, EnglishProduct number: ED 8199 Q7499In stock€2.99Incl. Tax
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Sonnet VComposer: Viktor UllmannEditor: Axel Bauni | Christian HoeschMedia Type: E-score PDFInstrumentation: high voice and pianoLanguage: French, German, EnglishProduct number: ED 8199 Q7507In stock€2.99Incl. Tax
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Composer: Viktor UllmannEditor: Axel Bauni | Christian HoeschSeries: Edition Schott
Instrumentation: voice and pianoProduct number: ED 8199Product TypeIn stockAs low as €39.99Incl. Tax -
Oper in zwei Akten (6 Szenen)Composer: Viktor UllmannMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance material, text/librettoLanguage: German
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from: Hölderlin-LiederComposer: Viktor UllmannEditor: Axel Bauni | Christian HoeschMedia Type: E-score PDFInstrumentation: high voice and pianoLanguage: French, German, EnglishProduct number: ED 8199 Q7534In stock€2.99Incl. Tax
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Orchesterfassung von Pedro Halffter (2015)Media Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialLanguage: German, English
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Spiel in einem Akt von Peter KienComposer: Viktor UllmannEditor: Henning BrauelMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialLanguage: German, English
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from: Der Mensch und sein TagComposer: Viktor UllmannEditor: Axel Bauni | Christian HoeschMedia Type: E-score PDFInstrumentation: baritone and pianoLanguage: French, German, EnglishProduct number: ED 8199 Q7519In stock€2.99Incl. Tax
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from: Drei chinesische Lieder IIComposer: Viktor UllmannEditor: Axel Bauni | Christian HoeschMedia Type: E-score PDFInstrumentation: voice and pianoLanguage: French, German, EnglishProduct number: ED 8199 Q7530In stock€2.99Incl. Tax
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from: Der Mensch und sein TagComposer: Viktor UllmannEditor: Axel Bauni | Christian HoeschMedia Type: E-score PDFInstrumentation: baritone and pianoLanguage: French, German, EnglishProduct number: ED 8199 Q7522In stock€2.99Incl. Tax
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Oper (Bühnenweihefestspiel) in drei AktenComposer: Viktor UllmannMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialLanguage: German, English
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Opera in one actComposer: Viktor UllmannArranger: Richard WhildsMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialLanguage: German
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Oper in einem AktComposer: Viktor UllmannMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialLanguage: German
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Oper nach Heinrich von Kleist in einem AktComposer: Viktor UllmannMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Piano reductionSeries: Der zerbrochene Krug
Language: GermanProduct number: ED 8434In stock€54.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping -
from: Geistliche LiederComposer: Viktor UllmannEditor: Axel Bauni | Christian HoeschMedia Type: E-score PDFInstrumentation: high voice and pianoLanguage: French, German, EnglishProduct number: ED 8199 Q7495In stock€2.99Incl. Tax
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from: Drei LiederComposer: Viktor UllmannEditor: Axel Bauni | Christian HoeschMedia Type: E-score PDFInstrumentation: baritone and pianoLanguage: French, German, EnglishProduct number: ED 8199 Q7515In stock€2.99Incl. Tax
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12 Pieces from the Poem of Rainer Maria RilkeComposer: Viktor UllmannEditor: Henning BrauelEdition: Piano reduction, (Piano Version)Instrumentation: speakers and piano or orchestraProduct number: ED 8285Product TypeIn stockAs low as €27.99Incl. Tax
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12 pieces from the poem of Rainer Maria RilkeComposer: Viktor UllmannArranger: Andrew DigbyMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: speaker and ensemble
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Fassung für Sprecher und 13 Instrumente von Bernd Thewes (1998)Composer: Viktor UllmannArranger: Bernd ThewesMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: speaker and 13 instrumentsLanguage: German
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12 Stücke aus der Dichtung Rainer Maria RilkesComposer: Viktor UllmannMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: speaker and orchestraLanguage: German
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Ouvertüre für OrchesterComposer: Viktor UllmannMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: orchestra
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from: Sechs Lieder nach Gedichten von Albert SteffenComposer: Viktor UllmannEditor: Axel Bauni | Christian HoeschMedia Type: E-score PDFInstrumentation: soprano and pianoLanguage: French, German, EnglishProduct number: ED 8199 Q7484In stock€2.99Incl. Tax
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from: Sechs Lieder nach Gedichten von Albert SteffenComposer: Viktor UllmannEditor: Axel Bauni | Christian HoeschMedia Type: E-score PDFInstrumentation: soprano and pianoLanguage: French, German, EnglishProduct number: ED 8199 Q7485In stock€2.99Incl. Tax
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FragmentComposer: Viktor UllmannEditor: Axel Bauni | Christian HoeschMedia Type: E-score PDFInstrumentation: voice and sting trio; Piano ReductionLanguage: French, German, EnglishProduct number: ED 8199 Q7541In stock€2.99Incl. Tax
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from: Sechs Lieder nach Gedichten von Albert SteffenComposer: Viktor UllmannEditor: Axel Bauni | Christian HoeschMedia Type: E-score PDFInstrumentation: soprano and pianoLanguage: French, German, EnglishProduct number: ED 8199 Q7486In stock€2.99Incl. Tax
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from: Geistliche LiederComposer: Viktor UllmannEditor: Axel Bauni | Christian HoeschMedia Type: E-score PDFInstrumentation: high voice and pianoLanguage: French, German, EnglishProduct number: ED 8199 Q7498In stock€2.99Incl. Tax
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for voice and chamber orchestraComposer: Viktor UllmannArranger: Klaus SimonMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: voice and chamber orchestraLanguage: German
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from: Der Mensch und sein TagComposer: Viktor UllmannEditor: Axel Bauni | Christian HoeschMedia Type: E-score PDFInstrumentation: baritone and pianoLanguage: French, German, EnglishProduct number: ED 8199 Q7516In stock€2.99Incl. Tax
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from: Der Mensch und sein TagComposer: Viktor UllmannEditor: Axel Bauni | Christian HoeschMedia Type: E-score PDFInstrumentation: baritone and pianoLanguage: French, German, EnglishProduct number: ED 8199 Q7523In stock€2.99Incl. Tax
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from: Der Mensch und sein TagComposer: Viktor UllmannEditor: Axel Bauni | Christian HoeschMedia Type: E-score PDFInstrumentation: baritone and pianoLanguage: French, German, EnglishProduct number: ED 8199 Q7517In stock€2.99Incl. Tax
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from: Der Mensch und sein TagComposer: Viktor UllmannEditor: Axel Bauni | Christian HoeschMedia Type: E-score PDFInstrumentation: baritone and pianoLanguage: French, German, EnglishProduct number: ED 8199 Q7518In stock€2.99Incl. Tax
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Composer: Viktor UllmannEditor: Axel Bauni | Christian HoeschMedia Type: E-score PDFInstrumentation: medium (low) voice and pianoLanguage: French, German, EnglishProduct number: ED 8199 Q7539In stock€2.99Incl. Tax
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Sonnet VIIIComposer: Viktor UllmannEditor: Axel Bauni | Christian HoeschMedia Type: E-score PDFInstrumentation: high voice and pianoLanguage: French, German, EnglishProduct number: ED 8199 Q7509In stock€2.99Incl. Tax