Who Wants Love? Cabaret and Film Songs of Franz Waxman
Robert Osborne, bass-baritone/Richard Gordon, piano
As a composer of film scores during Hollywood's Golden Age, Franz Waxman has few peers. Virtually unknown is his output of songs written for Weimar-era cabarets and revues and later, as a political emigré in Paris and Hollywood, songs created for an astonishing array of films both classic and obscure. By turns sentimental and satiric, these undiscovered gems and rarities are brought to lustrous life by internationally-acclaimed bass-baritone Robert Osborne in collaboration with pianist Richard Gordon, who were given access to this material by the composer's heir, John Waxman. This welcome collection brings to light an unjustly neglected aspect of the composer's already esteemed work and will establish Waxman as a first-rate composer of songs.
Ach, Wie Ist Das Leben Schön (Life Is Really Swell)
Waxman Conducting
at UFA in Berlin
Waxman with Zasu Pitts
Joan Crawford and Waxman
Mon Coeur Bat (Head Over Heels)
“Robert Osborne’s services to music continue with his new exploration of songs of Franz Waxman. This collection - Who Wants Love? Cabaret and Film Songs of Franz Waxman - presents this versatile composer in many genres and languages all handled with Osborne’s customary wit, flair and expertise. Mr. Osborne brings great charm and style to these songs and gives us the opportunity to understand more of their composer’s multifaceted role in music.”
Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor,
San Francisco Symphony
“Robert Osborne and Richard Gordon have assembled a wonderful collection of my father’s cabaret and film songs.Their performances delight me and I know would have also pleased my father.”
John W. Waxman
"Franz Waxman was a force of nature; a brilliant composer, arranger, sorcerer, genius and magician. Like a tsunami, he and his fellow exiled Berlin colleagues literally swept in a new golden age of American film music. Infected by the energy of his newly adopted homeland, Waxman reinvented his life and his music. He infused his compositions with his remarkable agility, European sophistication and prodigious ingenuity. I envy the younger generation that will discover Waxman for the first time wth this beautiful new CD "Who Wants Love." And for the millions of fans that already adore Waxman, we can continue falling in love with him again and again.”
Melodie Hollaender