Jurmann, Walter

(b Vienna, 12 Oct 1903; d Budapest, 17 June 1971). American composer of Austrian birth. Born into a solidly middle-class family, Jurmann received a comprehensive humanist education that included music. Abandoning medical studies at Vienna University in 1927, he moved to Berlin where he worked as a bar pianist, and a composer and song crooner for the newly founded Ultraphon record company. He joined with Fritz Rotter (1900--84), one of the most successful lyricists of his time with 1200 lyrics to his credit, and their first collaboration resulted in the big hit Was weisst denn du, wie ich verliebt bin for the tenor Richard Tauber. Jurmann prolifically adapted to the requirements of the thriving industry of popular music, making his name with Veronika, der Lenz ist da (which became the signature tune for the vocal quintet the Comedian Harmonists) and various hit songs that were interpreted by the leading singers of the day, such as Greta Keller, Alfred Piccaver, Jan Kiepura, Helge Rosvaenge, Bejamino Gigli and Hans Albers.

A successful transition into sound movies followed when Rotter introduced him to Bronislaw Kaper. For the next 12 years the partnership of Jurmann and Kaper proved to be one of the most successful and long lasting of its kind. For some 24 films in Germany, France and the USA Jurmann provided the melodies, while Kaper produced the arrangements and orchestrations. Among their most popular musical collaborations are the films A Night at the Opera (including Cosi Cosa; 1935), Mutiny on the Bounty (Love Song of Tahiti; 1935), San Francisco (San Francisco; 1936), A Day at the Races (All God's chillun got rhythm; 1937) and Nice Girl? (Thank you, America; 1941). In 1938 he was awarded the honorary citizenship of San Francisco for San Francisco, while the song itself was proclaimed the official city song by popular demand in 1984. Jurmann's death occurred unexpectedly during a trip to Europe in 1971.

WORKS
(selective list)
Stage: Parade de France, collab. B. Kaper, 1934; Windy City, 1946
Film (Germany): Ich glaub nie mehr an eine Frau, 1930 [incl. Deine Mutter bleibt immer bei Dir]; Ausflugs ins Leben, 1931; Ihre Majestat die Liebe, 1931; Salto Mortale, 1931; ... und das ist die Hauptsache, 1931; Die zwei vom Sudexpress, 1932; Ehe m.b.H., 1932; Ein toller Einfall, 1932; Es wird schon wieder besser, 1932; Hochzeitsreise zu dritt, 1932 [incl. Segnorina ich liebe dich]; Melodie der Liebe, 1932 [incl. Schade, dass liebe ein Marchen ist]; Skandal in der Parkstrasse, 1932; Abenteuer am Lido, 1933 [incl. Adieu, es ist zu schon um wahr zu sein]; Ein Lied fur Dich, 1933 [incl. Ninon]; Heut' kommt's drauf an, 1933 [incl Mein Gorilla hat 'ne Villa im Zoo]; Ich will dich Liebe lehren, 1933; Kind ich freu'mich auf dein Kommen, 1933; Madame wunscht keine Kinder, 1933
Film (France): Une femme au volant, 1934; Le greluchon delicat, 1934; Les nuits Muscovites, 1934; On a vole un homme, 1934
Film (USA): Escapade, 1935 [incl. You're all I need]; Kind Lady, 1935; Last of the Pagans, 1935; Mutiny on the Bounty, 1935 [incl. Love Song of Tahiti]; A Night at the Opera, 1935 [incl. Cosi, Cosa]; The Perfect Gentleman, 1935; San Francisco, 1936 [incl. San Francisco]; Three Smart Girls, 1936 [incl. My heart is singing]; A Day at the Races, 1937 [incl. All God's chillun got rhythm]; Maytime, 1937; Everybody Sing, 1938 [incl. The One I Love]; The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, 1939; Miracle on Main Street, 1939; Nice Girl?, 1941 [incl. Thank you, America]; Seven Sweethearts, 1941; His Butler's Sister, 1942; Presenting Lily Mars, 1943; Thousands Cheer, 1943 [incl. Three Letters in the Mail Box]
Individual songs: Was weisst denn Du, wie ich verliebt bin, 1928; Deine Mutter bleibt immer bei dir, 1929; Frauen brauchen immer einen Hausfreund, 1930; Spiel mir ein Lied auf der geige, 1930; Veronika, der Lenz ist da, 1930; Ein spanischer Tango und ein Madel wie du, 1931; Eine kleine Reise in den Fruhling mit dir, 1931; Reg mich nicht auf, Johanna, 1931; Du bist in meinem Leben die erste Sensation, 1932; Ich lieg so gern im grunen Gras, 1932; C'est ton amour, 1934; San Antonio, 1966; A Better World to Live In, 1967; Los Angeles, 1967

BIBLIOGRAPHY
J.H. Traber and E. Weingarten: Verdrangte Musik: Berliner Komponisten im Exil (Berlin, 1987)
J. Brand, ed.: Walter Jurmann: Catalogue of Works (Munich, 1995)
W. Pass, G. Scheit and W. Swoboda: Orpheus im Exil: die Vertreibung der osterreischen Musik von 1938 bis 1945 (Vienna, 1995)
 

THOMAS L. GAYDA