Paul Abraham - his music and his life

Paul Abraham (Hungarian: Ábrahám Pál; 2 November 1892 – 6 May 1960) was a Jewish-Hungarian composer of operettas, who scored major successes in the German-speaking world.His specialty – and own innovation – was the insertion of jazz interludes into operettas.

Abraham was born in Apatin, Austria-Hungary (today Serbia), and studied at the Royal National Hungarian Academy of Music in Budapest from 1910 to 1916. He studied cello with Adolf Schiffer and composition with Viktor Herzfeld.

Career

Abraham was a son of Jakab Ábrahám (c. 1859–1909) – who was a merchant from Apatin, later head of a small private bank – and Flóra Blau (1872-1943), who came from Mohács (South-Hungary, next to Danube). Like many other composers of operettas, Abraham started with works of a serious nature. During the decade following his studies he wrote, among other things, sacred music, string quartets and a concerto for violoncello. When he was appointed conductor at the Budapest Operetta Theatre in 1927 he found his way to this more popular art form which was more suited to his talent.

His first operetta, Der Gatte des Fräuleins, was written in 1928. With his third, Viktoria und ihr Husar (1930), he achieved a resounding success. Through this work, and the next two operettas from 1931 and 1933 Die Blume von Hawaii (lit. The Flower of Hawaii") and Ball im Savoy he became renowned worldwide. He also wrote numerous film scores.

The Nazi seizure of power in 1933 forced Abraham to abandon his domicile in Berlin and leave Germany. He was unwanted both as a Jew, and as the author of Die Blume von Hawaii, considered a piece of "degenerate art" by the Nazis, telling the story of a German sailor who falls in love with a Hawaiian girl.

Via Vienna and Paris he moved to Cuba where he earned a modest living as a pianist and later emigrated to New York City. After a mental breakdown he was in February 1946 committed to the Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan, later to the Creedmoor Psychiatric Center in Queens. In May 1956 he returned to live in Hamburg, Germany, where he received treatment at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf. He died four years later, aged 67.

Selected filmography

The Singing City (1930)

The Private Secretary (1931)

Sunshine Susie (1931)

City of Song (1931)

Victoria and Her Hussar (1931)

The Blue of Heaven (1932)

Gypsies of the Night (1932)

Overnight Sensation (1932)

A Bit of Love / Monsieur, Madame and Bibi (1932)

The Rakoczi March (1933)

Purple Lilacs (1934)

The Typist Gets Married (1934)

Temptation (1934)

Antonia (1935)

Ball at the Savoy (1935)

Modern Girls (1937)

Viki (1937)

Tales of Budapest (1937)

Family Bonus (1937)

Hotel Springtime (1937)

The Wrong Man (1938)

Roxy and the Wonderteam (1938)

Serenade (1940)

The Private Secretary (1953)

Ball at the Savoy (1955)

Works

Zenebona (together with other composers) Operette in 3 acts, 2 March 1928, Budapest. Libretto: László Lakatos and István Bródy

Az utolsó Verebély lány Operette, 3 acts (also known as Az elsö Verebély lány or Der Gatte des Fräuleins) 13 October 1928 Libretto: Imre Harmath and Gábor Drégely

Szeretem a felségem (Es geschehen noch Wunder) Magyar Színház 15 June 1929, Libretto: André Birabeau and Georges Dolley (after: Stella Adorján)

Viktoria und ihr Husar (Victoria and her Hussar), Operette, 3 acts and prologue. 21 February 1930 Budapest, Operettentheater. Libretto: Imre Földes and Imre Harmath (German: Alfred Grünwald and Fritz Löhner-Beda)

Die Blume von Hawaii (The Flower of Hawaii), Operette 3 acts, 24 July 1931 Leipzig, Neues Theater. Libretto: Alfred Grünwald and Fritz Löhner-Beda, after Imre Földes

Ball im Savoy, Operette in 3 acts and prologue. 23 December 1932 Berlin, Großes Schauspielhaus. Libretto: Alfred Grünwald and Fritz Löhner-Beda. English: Ball at The Savoy, 8 September 1933 London, Drury Lane Theatre

Märchen im Grand-Hotel, Lustspieloperette 3 acts 29 March 1934 Vienna, Theater an der Wien. Libretto: Alfred Grünwald and Fritz Löhner-Beda

Viki, Music comedy in 3 acts, 26 January 1935 Magyar Színház, Libretto: Imre Harmath and Adorján Bónyi

Történnek még csodák, Music comedy in 3 acts 20 April 1935 Magyar Színház, Libretto: Imre Halász and István Békeffy

Dschainah, das Mädchen aus dem Tanzhaus, Operette 3 Acts. 21 December 1935 Vienna, Theater an der Wien. Libretto: Alfred Grünwald and Fritz Löhner-Beda

3:1 a szerelem javára Operette in 2 Acts 18 December 1936 Király Színház, Libretto: Imre Harmath, Dezső Kellér and László Szilágyi

Roxy und ihr Wunderteam, Musikalischer Fußballschwank, 25 March 1937 Vienna, Theater an der Wien, Libretto: Hans Weigel and Alfred Grünwald[3]

Julia, Operette in 2 parts and a Nachspiel, 23 December 1937 Városi Színház Budapest, Libretto: Imre Harmath and Imre Földes

A Fehér hattyu Operette 3 acts (The White Swan), 1938

Zwei glückliche Herzen Libretto: Robert Gilbert and Armin L. Robinson. Premiere date unknown

Tambourin Musical in 2 parts (unperformed) Libretto: Alfred Grünwald

Top 65 Classical Music Masterpieces Everyone Knows, But Not Everybody Knows the Title

12,311,475 views Nov 3, 2017

The most iconic pieces of classical music you definitely have to know. The greatest instrumental songs that everyone knows, but no one knows the name of, even though almost everyday we hear them on TV shows or in commercials. Mozart, Chopin, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and much more. This is real classic! Almost all of these classical music masterpieces (and some extra ones) you can find in full length in my new video, which gives you over 3,5 hours of wonderful music:    • Most Iconic Classical Music Masterpie...   I hope you'll enjoy it. Rate, comment and subscribe for more music compilations. Every composition from this video exists as a public domain or creative common content. The fragment of Debussy's "Suite bergamasque" performed by Laurens Goedhart. Dvorak's "Serenade for Strings" performed by the Virtual Philharmonic Orchestra (Reinhold Behringer) with digital samples. Liszt's "Liebesträume" performed by Martha Goldstein. Piano version of Mozart's "Requiem in D minor" performed by Markus Staab. Satie's "Gnossiennes" performed by La Pianista. Richard Wagner's "Also Sprach Zarathustra" performed by Kevin MacLeod. The fragments of Vivaldi's "Spring", "Summer" and "Autumn" performed by John Harrison.

After the rain - Laura Bretan

1,073,074 views Premiered Sep 2, 2023

Singer: Laura Bretan Written by: Billy Aerts, Scott Lynch and Kimber Terry Publishers: Stormey Music BMI, Baby Gray Music BMI and Kimberpub ASCAP Music producer: Billy Aerts Video Producer: Bondaș Daniel Video by: Independent Films Directed: Petrica Muntean Graphic Designer: Bondaș Daniel

Rod Stewart cancels several Asia concerts including Manila

Kristofer Purnell - Philstar.com

February 9, 2024 | 1:37pm

MANILA, Philippines — Pop-rock singer-songwriter Rod Stewart canceled several of his concerts around Asia, including Manila, due to "unforeseen circumstances."

The Asia leg of Stewart's "Live In Concert, One Last Time" world tour had scheduled stops in Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, the Philippines, Singapore, and Tokyo.

Concert organizer Live Nation announced the concert cancellations in Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, and the Philippines, while the Singapore and Tokyo concerts are still set to continue.

Stewart will perform in Singapore's Marina Bay Sands Grand Ballroom on March 16 and 17 then fly to Tokyo for a one-night concert in Ariake Arena on March 20.

The singer's Manila concert was supposed to take place in Mall of Asia Arena on March 13, his stop before Singapore and coincidentally the same night fellow Grammy winner Janet Jackson has a concert in Araneta Coliseum.

The Philippine divison of Live Nation assured fans who purchased tickets will receive a full refund through their original payment method.

Those who paid with cash are advised to register at smtickets.com/refunds or email email customercare@smtickets.com; the email option is also advised for card reversals.

Stewart still has concerts scheduled this February in the United States, a European tour beginning May, a short Las Vegas residency in July and August, then four more stops around the United States.

The singer began his music career in the 1960s. His hits include "Have I Told You Lately," "I Don't Want to Talk About It," "Forever Young," and "Sailing," to name a few.

Debussy - Arabesque No 1 - Ricker Choi

Jackie Evancho - The Music of the Night (from Music of the Movies)

Music video by Jackie Evancho performing The Music of the Night. (C) 2012 Columbia Records, a Division of Sony Music Entertainment

'Concerto Ottimo' breaks traditional classical concerts

February 8, 2024

Get ready to be transported into a world of exhilaration as Enlightened Events presents "Concerto Ottimo," an electrifying and uplifting classical concert.

It is set to happen on March 22, 6 to 8 p.m., at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium in RCBC Plaza, Makati.

The event promises to be an unforgettable musical journey that will leave the audience exhilarated and inspired. Concerto Ottimo will be a fast-paced, lively and joyously uplifting concert.

The concert will feature The Manila Symphony Orchestra under the baton of maestro Marlon Chen.

Concerto Ottimo will be a celebration of classical music in the way it is used to influence popular culture. From iconic movie soundtracks, to acoustic versions of infamous chart topping hits, the concert will give a performance only an orchestra can deliver.

The concert will feature The Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO), under the baton of the renowned maestro Marlon Chen, who will perform a selection of chart hits, iconic soundtracks and classical favorites.

Get ready to hear a full orchestra play the iconic "James Bond" and "Mission Impossible" themes, the legendary "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen and "Never Enough" from "The Greatest Showman," along with the all-time classics such as "Nessun Dorma" and "The Blue Danube," among many others.

Also, exceptional soloists — budding musical theater artist and classical singer Anya Evangelista, young tenor Ralf Adrian, and the talented Jenny Sugar — will take the stage to perform some of the most challenging and thrilling pieces in the classical repertoire.

Finally, unlike traditional classical concerts, "Concerto Ottimo" keeps the energy high and the tempo brisk.

Don't miss this unique opportunity to experience classical music in a new and thrilling way.

Tickets are available now at Ticketbooth.ph.

Debussy Arabesque No.1 - Inga Fiolia

The famous #Debussy Arabesque no.1 - played by Inga Fiolia at the Trinitatis Church Cologne A multiple prizewinner of international competitions and described in the international press as a “poet on the piano with remarkable maturity”, German-Georgian pianist Inga Fiolia has a bright future. Since giving her first performance with an orchestra at the age of seven, she has shown a phenomenal ability as a soloist, accompanist and interpreter of a wide variety of styles, from the Baroque to the 21st century compositions. Inga Fiolia studied at the Central Music School of Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow and the Cologne Musikhochschule with Alexey Nasedkin, Rudolf Kehrer and Vassily Lobanov. She is the youngest follower of the Neuhaus piano tradition, which included Sviatoslav Richter and Emil Gilels. As a soloist she has collaborated with orchestras including the Brandenburg State Opera Philharmonic (Mendelssohn Concerto No. 1), the Brussels Philharmonic (Rachmaninov Concerto No.2), the Georgian State Chamber Orchestra (Bach No. 5) and National Philharmonic (Haydn D major, Beethoven No. 1), the Bergische Symphoniker and the South Westphalia Philharmonic (Liszt No.2). She received the Solti Award and German Piano Magazine´s “Piano News prize” and has also performed for major TV and radio stations including ZDF, ARTE, Classica TV, SWR, Deutschlandradio, WDR, as well as on Georgian TV. Her performance of Scriabin’s Preludes and Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto was released on the DVD “Stars of tomorrow, presented by Rolando Villazon” (Unitel Classica, 2015). She released two recordings of Mikhail Glinka´s piano works: “Piano Variations” (2017), “Dances” (2018) and Sulkhan Tsintsadze´s “24 Preludes” (2019) on Naxos´ Lable Grand Piano. In 2019 she made her U.S Debut at Lincoln Center in New York, a Debut at the Klavierfestival Ruhr with works by Ravel, Debussy (CD Edition Klavierfestival Ruhr), Schubert and Glinka and has performed Chopin´s 1. Piano Concerto with the Cologne Chamber Orchestra. In 2020 she made her reloaded arrangements of Beethoven‘s best Piano pieces, that were premiered and recorded live at Ruhr Piano Festival with the Sting‘s percussionist Rhani Krija (Album Release in 2022).

Jackie Evancho - Both Sides Now (Official Video)

757,839 views  Premiered Jun 17, 2022

Performed by Jackie Evancho

'A Horse With No Name' (AMERICA) Cover by The HSCC

Barbra Streisand, Céline Dion - Tell Him (Official Remastered HD Video)

66M views 3 years ago #TellHim #CelineDion #LetsTalkAboutLove

66,718,998 views • Jul 31, 2020 • #TellHim #CelineDion #LetsTalkAboutLove

Official Remastered HD Video for “Tell Him” by Celine Dion & Barbra Streisand

Westlife - When You Tell Me That You Love Me (Official Video)

95,967,737 views Oct 4, 2009 #BestOfWestlife #westlifesongs #WestlifeGreatestHits

Westlife - When You Tell Me That You Love Me (Official Video) ft. Diana Ross

I Wanna Grow Old With You - Westlife

172,419,376 views Nov 27, 2017

I Wanna Grow Old With You - Westlife Scenes from the movie: «UP» Lyrics, music: Shane Filan, Kian Egan, Brian Mcfadden Album: World of Our Own Another day without your smile another day just passes by but now I know how much it means for you to stay right here with me. The time we spent apart will make our love grow stronger but it hurts so bad I can't take it any longer. I wanna grow old with you I wanna die lying in your arms I wanna grow old with you I wanna be looking in your eyes I wanna be there for you, sharing everything you do I wanna grow old with you. A thousand miles between us now it causes me to wonder how our love tonight remains so strong it makes our risk right all along. The time we spent apart will make our love grow stronger but it hurts so bad i can't take it any longer. I wanna grow old with you I wanna die lying in your arms I wanna grow old with you I wanna be looking in your eyes I wanna be there for you, sharing everything you do I wanna grow old with you. Things can come and go I know but baby I believe something's burning strong between us makes it clear to me. I wanna grow old with you I wanna die lying in your arms I wanna grow old with you I wanna be looking in your eyes I wanna be there for you, sharing everything you do I wanna grow old with you.

Always On My Mind - Willie Nelson (Elvis) - (Connie Talbot)

Hi guys, Thank you for watching. 

This was such an emotional song to sing. This song was a karaoke favourite of a very special person, my Uncle who sadly passed recently. So this one Is for you Rich.

Forever, "Always On My Mind"... xox

13 Songs From The 60s You Forgot Were Awesome

240,910 views Jan 22, 2024

13 Songs From The 60s You Forgot Were Awesome The 1960s was the golden era of music. You witnessed the rise of The Turtles, The Temptations, and many more. Even solo artists such as Nancy Sinatra and Bob Dylan were releasing smashing hits. In such a high influx, some big hits tend to slip through the cracks. So, today, we are rediscovering top '60s hits that you forgot were awesome. Let's get in!