Excerpt: Compositions for heckelphone (chronological)
by Peter Hurd; reorganized and amended by Holger Hoos, editor-in-chief since 2020
version 2 (1 February 2022)
This collection is based on the catalogue of musical works requiring heckelphone or bass oboe instrumentation assembled by Peter Hurd beginning in 1998. For this new edition, the original version of the repertoire list has been edited for accuracy, completeness and consistency, and it has been extended with a number of newly discovered pieces.
Some entries could not (yet) be rigorously verified for accuracy; these were included nonetheless, to provide leads for future investigation, but are marked clearly. Pieces were selected for inclusion based solely on the use of heckelphone, bass oboe or lupophone, without any attempt at assessing their artistic merit. Arrangements of pieces not originally intended for these instruments were included when there was clear evidence that they had found a significant audience.
We gratefully acknowledge contributions by Crawford Best, Ulrich Brokamp, Michael Finkelman, Francis Firth, Alain Girard, Thomas Hiniker, Robert Howe, Gunther Joppig, Georg Otto Klapproth, Mark Perchanok, Andrew Shreeves and Michael Sluman.
Chadwick, George Whitefield (1854-1931): Für das Heckelphon (Fragment), 1905
Publisher: Heckel-Archiv (ms)
Remarks: a theme of four bars, written for Wilhelm Heckel in June 1905
Duration: 24sec
Tags: heckelphone; solo
Delius, Frederick (1862-1934): Eine Messe des Lebens (A Mass of Life), 1904-1905
Publisher: Harmonie Verlag, Berlin
Remarks: dedicated to Fritz Cassirer; premiere on 7 June 1909 at Queen's Hall, London, under Thomas Beecham; part 2 was first performed on 4 June 1908 in Munich by the Hofkapelle München; according to Klapproth (2008), the bass oboe part in the score was originally intended for heckelphone
Duration: 135min
Tags: heckelphone, bass oboe; orchestra
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Rossini, Gioachino (1792-1868): Guillaume Tell (arrangement by Willem de Haan), 1905
Remarks: due to a misunderstanding of a common Italian practice for notating cor anglais parts in bass clef, one octave below the sound of the instrument, there were several performances that used the newly introduced heckelphone instead of cor anglais in this piece (notably for the well-known solo in the overture); the first such performance, on 8 January 1905 in Darmstadt under Willem de Haan, was the first occasion on which the heckelphone was heard in public; the original opera in four acts was first performed on 3 August 1829 in Paris, France, by the Opéra de Paris under François-Antoine Habeneck
Duration: 240min
Tags: heckelphone; opera, arrangement
Additional information can be found here.
Schillings, Max von (1868-1933): Dem Verklärten (Eine hymnische Rhapsodie nach Worten Friedrich Schiller's), op. 21, 1905 [?]this entry is only partially verified
Publisher: Robert Forberg, Leipzig
Remarks: for mixed chorus, baritone and large orchestra, based on a text by Friedrich Schiller
Tags: heckelphone; orchestra
Additional information can be found here.
Strauss, Richard (1864-1949): Salome, op. 54, 1903-1905
Publisher: Adolph Fürstner, Berlin
Remarks: opera in one act; libretto by the composer, after the play by Oscar Wilde, in a German translation by Hedwig Lachmann; dedicated to Sir Edgar Speyer; premiere on 9 December 1905 in Dresden, Germany, under Ernst von Schuch, with Emil Sehnert playing heckelphone #10
Duration: 100min
Tags: heckelphone; opera
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Schillings, Max von (1868-1933): Moloch (Musikalische Tragödie), op. 20, 1903-1906
Publisher: Bote & Bock, Berlin (1906); Boosey & Hawkes (rental)
Remarks: libretto by Emil Gerhauser after Friedrich Hebbel; premiere on 8 December 1906 in Dresden, Germany, under Ernst von Schuch, with Emil Sehnert playing heckelphone #10
Duration: 160min
Tags: heckelphone; opera
Additional information can be found here.
Delius, Frederick (1862-1934): Songs of Sunset, 1906-1907
Publisher: F.E.C. Leuckart, Leipzig
Remarks: for soprano, baritone, mixed chorus and orchestra; dedicated to the Elberfelder Gesangverein (Elberfeld Choral Society)
Duration: 30min
Tags: heckelphone, bass oboe; orchestra
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Moulaert, Raymond (1875-1962): Andante, fugue et finale, 1907
Publisher: CeBeDeM
Remarks: for oboe, oboe d’amore, cor anglais and heckelphone (a version for saxophone quartet also exists)
Duration: 8min
Tags: heckelphone; chamber music
Additional information can be found here.
Braunfels, Walter (1882-1954): Prinzessin Brambilla (Phantasiestück nach E.T.A. Hoffmann), op. 12, 1906-1908 [?]this entry is only partially verified
Publisher: Lewy, München (1908); Universal Edition, Wien (1930)
Remarks: original two-act version completed in 1908; revised in 1929/30; dedicated to Max von Schillings; premiere of the original version on 25 March 1909 at the Staatstheater Stuttgart under Max von Schillings
Duration: 120min
Tags: heckelphone; opera
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Delius, Frederick (1862-1934): A Dance Rhapsody, 1908
Publisher: F.E.C. Leuckart, Leipzig
Remarks: dedicated to Hermann Suter; premiere on 8 September 1909 in the Hereford Shire Hall, as part of the Three Choirs Festival, conducted by the composer; according to Klapproth (2008), the bass oboe part in the score was originally intended for heckelphone
Duration: 12min
Tags: heckelphone, bass oboe; orchestra
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Strauss, Richard (1864-1949): Elektra, op. 58, 1906-1908
Publisher: Adolph Fürstner, Berlin
Remarks: opera in one act; libretto by Hugo von Hofmannsthal; dedicated to Natalie and Willy Levi; premiere on 25 January 1909 in Dresden, Germany, under Ernst von Schuch, with Emil Sehnert playing heckelphone #10
Duration: 105min
Tags: heckelphone; opera
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Boehe, Ernst (1880-1938): Symphonischer Epilog zu einer Tragödie, op. 11, 1909
Publisher: Schuberthaus-Verlag, Leipzig (1909)
Remarks: for large orchestra; dedicated to Felix Mottl and Königliches Hoforchester zu München
Duration: 20min
Tags: heckelphone; orchestra
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Berg, Natanael (1879-1957): Traumgewalten, Sinfonische Dichtung, 1910
Publisher: Hirsch, Stockholm (1911)
Remarks: instrumental music inspired by the poem with the same title by Nicolaus Lenau; dedicated to Berta Dorotea Rexroth-Berg; premiere on 3 February 1912 at the Royal Opera, Stockholm, by Hovkapellet under Armas Järnefelt
Duration: 12min
Tags: heckelphone; orchestra
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Delius, Frederick (1862-1934): Fennimore and Gerda (Two episodes from the life of Niels Lyhne in eleven pictures), 1908-1910
Publisher: Universal Edition, Wien
Remarks: German-language opera with four interludes; dedicated to Sir Thomas Beecham; premiere on 21 October 1919 at the Opernhaus in Frankfurt, Germany, under Gustav Brecher; according to Klapproth (2008), it is likely that the bass oboe part in the score was originally intended for heckelphone
Duration: 80min
Tags: heckelphone, bass oboe; opera
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Pahissa, Jaume (1880-1969): Canigó, 1910
Publisher: Biblioteca de Catalunya (M 3702, ms)
Remarks: lyrical opera in three acts, based on a poem by Jacint Verdaguer
Tags: heckelphone; opera
Additional information can be found here.
Weingartner, Felix (1863-1942): Symphony No. 3, op. 49, 1910
Publisher: Breitkopf & Härtel (rental)
Remarks: for orchestra and organ (ad lib.); premiere on 27 November 1910 in Vienna, Austria
Duration: 65min
Tags: heckelphone; orchestra
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Braunfels, Walter (1882-1954): Carnevals-Ouvertüre zu E.T.A. Hoffmanns "Prinzessin Brambilla", op. 22, 1911
Publisher: Ries & Erler Musikverlag, Berlin (rental)
Remarks: dedicated to Max von Schillings; premiere 1912 in Dresden, Germany, under Ernst von Schuch
Duration: 8min
Tags: heckelphone; orchestra
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Poldowski (1879-1932): Nocturnes, 1912
Remarks: premiere 1912 in London, UK, under Sir Henry Wood; Poldowski is the professional pseudonym of Régine Wieniawski, who also published some of her works under the name Irène Wieniawski
Tags: heckelphone; orchestra
Additional information can be found here.
Schillings, Max von (1868-1933): Festspiel 1912 (Ouvertüre für großes Orchester), 1912
Publisher: IKURO (120901)
Remarks: premiere on 14 September 1912 in Stuttgart, Germany; written and performed for the opening of the opera house in Stuttgart
Duration: 5min
Tags: heckelphone; orchestra
Additional information can be found here.
Strauss, Richard (1864-1949): Festliches Präludium, op. 61, 1913
Publisher: Adolph Fürstner, Berlin
Remarks: for large orchestra and organ; premiere 19 October 1913 in Vienna, Austria, under Ferdinand Löwe
Duration: 12min
Tags: heckelphone; orchestra
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Weingartner, Felix (1863-1942): Kain und Abel, op. 54, 1913
Publisher: Universal Edition (rental)
Remarks: opera in one act; dedicated to Ernst Ludwig Grossherzog von Hessen und bei Rhein; premiere on 17 May 1914 in Darmstadt, Germany
Duration: 75min
Tags: heckelphone; opera
Additional information can be found here.
Klose, Friedrich (1862-1942): Der Sonne-Geist, 1914
Publisher: Universal Edition
Remarks: for soli, choirs, orchestra and organ; text by Alfred Mombert; premiere on 2 March 1918 in Basel, Switzerland
Tags: heckelphone; orchestra
Additional information can be found here.
Strauss, Richard (1864-1949): Josephs Legende, op. 63, 1912-1914
Publisher: Adolph Fürstner, Berlin
Remarks: ballet in one act, with a libretto by Hugo von Hofmannsthal and Harry Graf Kessler; dedicated to Edouard Hermann; premiere on 14 May 1914 in Paris, France, under Richard Strauss
Duration: 65min
Tags: heckelphone; ballet
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Schillings, Max von (1868-1933): Mona Lisa, op. 31, 1915
Publisher: Universal Edition; Drei Masken, Berlin (1918)
Remarks: libretto by Beatrice von Dovsky; dedicated to the Philosophy Faculty of the University of Heidelberg; premiere on 26 September 1915 in Stuttgart, Germany, under Max von Schillings, with the heckelphone part played by Carl Riedel
Duration: 150min
Tags: heckelphone; opera
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Strauss, Richard (1864-1949): Eine Alpensinfonie, op. 64, 1911-1915
Publisher: F.E.C. Leuckart, Leipzig (F.E.C.L. 7531)
Remarks: dedicated to Nicolaus Seebach and the Royal Orchestra; premiere on 28 October 1915 in Berlin, Germany, by the Dresdner Hofkapelle under Richard Strauss, with Emil Sehnert playing heckelphone #10
Duration: 50min
Tags: heckelphone; orchestra
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Grainger, Percy (1882-1961): The Warriors (Music to an imaginary ballet), 1913-1916
Publisher: B. Schott's Söhne, Mainz (B.S.S.31023b)
Remarks: for orchestra & 3 pianos; dedicated to Frederick Delius; premiere on 7 June 1917 in Norfolk (Virginia), USA, under Percy Grainger
Duration: 18min
Tags: bass oboe, heckelphone; orchestra
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Erdmann, Eduard (1896-1958): Rondo for Orchestra, op. 9, 1918
Publisher: Jatho-Verlag, Berlin; Ries & Erler, Berlin
Remarks: dedicated to Heinz Tiessen; premiere in February 1921 in Berlin, Germany, by the Berliner Philharmoniker under Arthur Nikisch
Duration: 14min
Tags: heckelphone; orchestra
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Erdmann, Eduard (1896-1958): Symphony No. 1, op. 10, 1919
Publisher: Steingräber-Verlag, Leipzig
Remarks: for large orchestra; dedicated to Alban Berg; premiere on 9 June 1920 in Weimar, Germany, under Peter Raabe
Duration: 24min
Tags: heckelphone; orchestra
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Bernert, Helmut (1896-1979): Rhapsodie für Tenor und Orchester, 1921 [??]this entry has not (yet) been verified
Publisher: Anton Böhm Verlag, Augsburg (ms)
Tags: heckelphone; orchestra
Varèse, Edgar (1883-1965): Ameriques, 1918-1921
Publisher: Curwen, London (1924); Colfranc Music Publishing Corp.
Remarks: premiere on 9 April 1926 in Philadelphia (PA), USA, by the Philadelphia Orchestra under Leopold Stokowski; revised 1927 version with reduced instrumentation (still including heckelphone)
Duration: 23min
Tags: heckelphone; orchestra
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Atterberg, Kurt (1887-1974): Symphony No. 5 in D minor (Sinfonia funèbre), op. 20, 1919-1922
Publisher: Universal Edition, Wien (1923); Breitkopf & Härtel (rental)
Remarks: heckelphone has an important part, especially in the slow movement; premiere on 6 January 1923 in Berlin, Germany, under Kurt Atterberg
Duration: 26min
Tags: heckelphone; orchestra
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Bax, Arnold (1883-1953): Symphony No. 1, 1922
Publisher: Murdoch, London (1923); Warner Chappell Music
Remarks: the score lists "Heckelphone or Bass-Oboe"; dedicated to John Ireland; premiere on 4 December 1922 in London, by the London Symphony Orchestra under Albert Coates
Duration: 32min
Tags: heckelphone, bass oboe; orchestra
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Cui, César (1835-1918): Oriental Fox Trot (arrangement by Paul Whiteman and Ferde Grofé), 1922
Remarks: featuring Ross Gorman on heckelphone; the original Orientale by César Cui was written for violin and piano
Duration: 3min
Tags: heckelphone; jazz
A recording is available here.
Fleck, Fritz (1880-1933): Die Nabya, 1922 [?]this entry is only partially verified
Publisher: Tischer & Jägenberg, Starnberg
Remarks: expressionist pantomime; premiere in Köln, Germany, in 1922
Tags: heckelphone; ballet
Friml, Rudolf (1879-1972): Chansonette (arrangement by Ferde Grofé), 1922
Remarks: based on the 1920 "Chanson" for solo piano; a heckelphone solo, written for Ross Gorman, features prominently at the beginning of Grofé's arrangement
Duration: 3min
Tags: heckelphone; orchestra, arrangement
A recording is available here.
Grainger, Percy (1882-1961): Hill-Song No. 1, 1920-1923
Publisher: Universal Edition (No. 7443)
Remarks: for 23 (or 24) instruments; the original version (written in 1901-1902) was scored for 2 piccolo flutes, 6 oboes, 6 cors anglais, 6 bassoons and contrabassoon; premiere on 26 April 1925 in New York City (NY), USA, under Percy Grainger
Duration: 15min
Tags: bass oboe, heckelphone; chamber music
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Friml, Rudolf (1879-1972): Indian Love Call (arrangement by Ferde Grofé), 1924 [?]this entry is only partially verified
Remarks: from the 1924 operetta-style Broadway musical "Rose Marie"
Duration: 3min
Tags: heckelphone; musical, arrangement
A recording is available here.
Gershwin, George (1898-1937): Rhapsody in Blue, 1924
Publisher: Alfred Music (00-FS0004)
Remarks: for piano and jazz band; commissioned by Paul Whiteman; orchestrated by Ferde Grofé; premiere on 12 February 1924, in Aeolian Hall, New York City (NY), USA, by the Paul Whiteman Orchestra with George Gershwin (piano); unlike later orchestrations, the original 1924 version uses heckelphone (played at the premiere by Ross Gorman)
Duration: 17min
Tags: heckelphone; jazz, orchestra
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Heger, Robert (1886-1978): Ein Friedenslied, op. 19, 1924
Publisher: Universal Edition
Remarks: for solo quartet, mixed choir, boys's choir and orchestra; premiere on 6 March 1928 in Vienna, by Singverein der Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde and Wiener Sinfonieorchester under Robert Heger
Duration: 90min
Tags: heckelphone; orchestra
Additional information can be found here.
Herbert, Victor (1859-1924): A Suite of Serenades, 1924
Remarks: for jazz orchestra; heckelphone is used in No. 4 "Oriental"; commissioned by Paul Whiteman; premiere on 12 February 1924, in Aeolian Hall, New York City (NY), USA, by the Paul Whiteman Orchestra, with Ross Gorman on heckelphone
Duration: 8min
Tags: heckelphone; jazz
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Sowerby, Leo (1895-1968): Synconata, 1924
Remarks: for symphonic jazz orchestra; written for Paul Whiteman's band; premiere on 28 December 1924 in New York City (NY), USA, by the Paul Whiteman Orchestra, with Ross Gorman on heckelphone
Duration: 10min
Tags: heckelphone; orchestra, jazz
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Keyssner, August (1882-1958): Intermezzo (Am Hochzeitstag), op. 91, 1925 [?]this entry is only partially verified
Publisher: Heckel-Archiv (ms)
Remarks: for heckelphone and organ; written for the wedding of Else Heckel to Franz Groffy, and performance on that occasion by Heinrich Türk
Tags: heckelphone; keyboard instrument
Gershwin, George (1898-1937): Concerto in F (arrangement by Ferde Grofé), 1926
Publisher: Whiteman Collection, Williams College, Williamstown (MA), USA (ms)
Remarks: arrangement for piano and orchestra; original 1925 version commissioned by Walter Damrosch; Grofé's arrangement for the Paul Whiteman Orchestra was the one used in the first recording in 1928; premiere on 7 October 1928 in New York City (NY), USA, by the Paul Whiteman Orchestra, with Charles Strickfaden on heckelphone
Duration: 24min
Tags: heckelphone; jazz, orchestra, arrangement
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Burleigh, Cecil (1885-1980): Two Sketches from the Orient (arrangement by N. Clifford Page), op. 55, 1928
Publisher: Oliver Ditson Co., Boston
Remarks: arrangement for band; original version 1926 for piano
Tags: heckelphone; concert band, arrangement
Additional information can be found here.
Grofé, Ferde (1892-1972): Metropolis: A Blue Fantasy, 1928
Remarks: symphonic jazz tone poem for orchestra, piano and male trio; premiere on 7 October 1928 at Carnegie Hall, New York City (NY), USA, by the Paul Whiteman Orchestra, with Charles Strickfaden on heckelphone
Duration: 16min
Tags: heckelphone; jazz, orchestra
A recording is available here.
Hindemith, Paul (1895-1963): Trio, op. 47, 1928
Publisher: B. Schott’s Söhne, Mainz (No. 3148)
Remarks: for piano, viola and heckelphone; premiere on 15 March 1928 in Wiesbaden, Germany, by Paul Hindemith (viola), Theodor Dieckmann (heckelphone) and Emma Lübbecke-Job (piano)
Duration: 13min
Tags: heckelphone; chamber music
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Irving, Ernest (1878-1953): The Circle of Chalk, 1929
Remarks: incidental music for a theatre play by Klabund; use of bass oboe, according to Finkelman (2021), could not be confirmed
Tags: heckelphone; chamber music
Blitzstein, Marc (1905-1964): Romantic Piece for Orchestra, op. 47, 1930
Publisher: Kurt Weill Foundation (B98 R59)
Remarks: for 3 fl, 2 ob, heckelphone, 2 cl, bscl, 2 bsn, cbn, 4 hrn, 3 trp, 3 trb, 3 timp, perc, pno and strings; dedicated to Eva Goldbeck
Duration: 17min
Tags: heckelphone; orchestra
Additional information can be found here.
Hindemith, Rudolf (1900-1974): Konzertmusik, 1930 [??]this entry has not (yet) been verified
Publisher: Hindemith-Institut, Frankfurt (ms)
Remarks: Overtüre - Foxtrott – Variationen
Tags: heckelphone; orchestra
Moser, Franz Joseph (1880-1939): Symphonie Nr. 3, op. 48, 1928-1930
Publisher: Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Wien (ms)
Remarks: for large orchestra
Tags: heckelphone; orchestra
Additional information can be found here.
Hindemith, Rudolf (1900-1974): Symphonie, 1930-1931 [?]this entry is only partially verified
Publisher: Hindemith Institut, Frankfurt (ms); Karthause-Schmülling, Germany
Remarks: Kurze Overtüre – Bourée – Acht Variationen und Schlussmarsch über einem Thema von G.F. Händel; for flute, piccolo, oboe, cor anglais, heckelphone (in the Bourée), 2 piccolo clarinets, clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, bassoon, bassoon/ contrabassoon, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones and tuba
Tags: heckelphone; chamber music
Chávez, Carlos (1899-1978): Symphony No. 1 (Sinfonía de Antígona), 1933
Publisher: G. Schirmer Inc.
Remarks: premiere on 15 December 1933 in Mexico City, Mexico, under Carlos Chávez
Duration: 11min
Tags: heckelphone; orchestra
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Copland, Aaron (1900-1990): Short Symphony (Symphony No. 2), 1933
Publisher: Boosey & Hawkes, New York
Remarks: dedicated to Carlos Chávez; premiere on 23 November 1934 in Mexico City, Mexico, by the Orquesta Sinfónica de México under Carlos Chávez
Duration: 15min
Tags: heckelphone; orchestra
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Hindemith, Rudolf (1900-1974): Ballettmusik, 1936-1937 [??]this entry has not (yet) been verified
Publisher: Hindemith-Institut, Frankfurt (ms)
Remarks: for 2 flutes, oboe, cor anglais, heckelphone, 2 clarinet, bass clarinet, 2 bassoons, 3 horns, 4 trumpets, 3 trombones, 2 tubas and percussion
Tags: heckelphone; ballet
Hindemith, Rudolf (1900-1974): Konradin, der letzte Hohenstaufe, 1937-1938 [?]this entry is only partially verified
Publisher: Hindemith-Institut, Frankfurt (ms)
Remarks: opera in 3 acts
Tags: heckelphone; opera
Monteverdi, Claudio (1567-1643): L'Orfeo (adaptation by Carl Orff), 1939
Remarks: opera in three acts; second and final version, with one heckelphone part
Tags: heckelphone; opera
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Steiner, Max (1888-1971): Gone with the Wind (film), 1939
Publisher: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Remarks: adapted from the 1936 novel by Margaret Mitchell; heckelphone part played by Don Christlieb on heckelphone #33, according to Howe & Hurd (2004)
Duration: 221min
Tags: heckelphone; film music
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Hindemith, Rudolf (1900-1974): Militärmärsche, 1939-1941 [?]this entry is only partially verified
Publisher: Hindemith-Institut, Frankfurt (ms)
Remarks: for band
Tags: heckelphone; wind ensemble
Tyberg, Marcel (1893-1944): Symphony No. 3, 1943
Remarks: premiere on 10 May 2008 in Buffalo (NY), USA, by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra under JoAnn Falletta
Duration: 37min
Tags: heckelphone; orchestra
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Raksin, David (1912-2004): Laura (film), 1944
Publisher: Twentieth Century Fox
Remarks: heckelphone part played by Don Christlieb on heckelphone #33, according to Howe & Hurd (2004)
Duration: 88min
Tags: heckelphone; film music
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Waxman, Franz (1906-1967): Objective Burma! (film), 1945
Publisher: Warner Brothers
Remarks: the original score (with arrangements by Leonid Raab) used heckelphone, while the 2005 Naxos re-recording (arranged by John Morgen) used bass oboe instead
Duration: 142min
Tags: heckelphone, bass oboe; film music
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Heckel, Wilhelm Hermann (1879-1952): Meine Gedanken, 1946
Publisher: Verlag Gebrüder Schottstädt, Mainz (GS 10 118)
Remarks: concertino for bassoon (or heckelphone) and piano
Tags: heckelphone; keyboard instrument
Additional information can be found here.
Wiggins, Eddie (1917-1995): Orientale, 1946
Publisher: Sultan Records (2501A)
Remarks: played by the Eddie Wiggins Sextette
Tags: heckelphone; jazz
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Wiggins, Eddie (1917-1995): Onyx Jump, 1946
Publisher: Sultan Records (2502B)
Remarks: played by the Eddie Wiggins Sextette
Tags: heckelphone; jazz
A recording is available here.
Dessau, Paul (1894-1979): Deutsches Miserere, 1944-1947
Publisher: Edition Peters, Leipzig
Remarks: oratorio for soli, chorus, children's chorus, large orchestra, organ and trautonium; based on a text by Bertolt Brecht; premiere on 20 September 1966 in Leipzig, Germany, by the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Leipzig under Herbert Kegel
Duration: 90min
Tags: heckelphone; orchestra
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Erdmann, Eduard (1896-1958): Symphony No. 3, op. 19, 1947
Publisher: Ries & Erler, Berlin
Remarks: for large orchestra; dedicated to Irene Erdmann; premiere 25 September 1951 by the Städtisches Orchester Essen under Gustav König
Duration: 48min
Tags: heckelphone; orchestra
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Steiner, Max (1888-1971): The Woman in White (film), 1948
Publisher: Warner Brothers
Remarks: based on the 1860 novel by Wilkie Collins
Duration: 109
Tags: heckelphone; film music
Additional information can be found here.
Kaper, Bronisław (1902-1983): Secret Garden (film, 1949 [??]this entry has not (yet) been verified
Publisher: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Remarks: based upon the 1911 novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Duration: 89min
Tags: heckelphone; film music
Additional information can be found here.
Silverman, David: Sonatina, 1949
Publisher: ms
Remarks: for oboe, oboe d’amore, cor anglais, heckelphone, bassoon and contrabassoon; a recording from 1949 with Richard White (heckelphone) exists in the Eastman Recording Services Archive (No. 1471) at the Eastman School of Music, Rochester (NY), USA
Tags: heckelphone; chamber music
Baines, Francis (1917-1999): Fantasy, 1950
Publisher: ms
Remarks: for 2 oboes, cor anglais and bass oboe; written for the London Oboe Quartet; the manuscript formerly belonged to Sidney Suttcliffe
Tags: heckelphone; chamber music
Parrott, Ian (1916-2012): Hobos Riding, 1951
Publisher: London Oboe Quartet (ms)
Remarks: for oboe, oboe d’amore, cor anglais and heckelphone; written for the London Oboe Quartet
Tags: heckelphone; chamber music
Zagwijn, Henri (1878-1954): Suite, 1951
Publisher: Donemus (2251)
Remarks: for 2 oboes, cor anglais and heckelphone
Duration: 16min
Tags: heckelphone; chamber music
Additional information can be found here.
Becher, Heinrich (1906-1965): Ansbacher Quartett, 1952
Publisher: Thomi-Berg Musikverlag (G 457)
Remarks: for oboe, oboe d’amore, cor anglais and heckelphone (or bassoon)
Duration: 15min
Tags: heckelphone; chamber music
Additional information can be found here.
Hindemith, Paul (1895-1963): Cardillac (revised version), op. 39, 1952
Publisher: Schott Music, Mainz
Remarks: opera in four acts based on a text by Ferdinand Lion; the original version of 1926 does not appear to include a heckelphone part, while the revised version from 1952 specifies heckelphone as an alternate for the tenor saxophone part; premiere on 20 June 1952 at the Stadttheater Zürich, Switzerland, under Victor Reinshagen
Duration: 130min
Tags: heckelphone; opera
Additional information can be found here.
Hindemith, Rudolf (1900-1974): Ballettmusik (new version for orchestra), 1953 [??]this entry has not (yet) been verified
Publisher: Hindemith-Institut, Frankfurt (ms)
Tags: heckelphone; orchestra
Smith, Leland (1925-2013): Sonata for Heckelphone (or Viola) and Piano, 1953
Publisher: San Andreas Press
Remarks: versions for viola and tenor saxophone also exist; it has been performed several times with the composer on heckelphone; a recording of the version of viola and piano has been released by Naxos in 2008
Duration: 10min
Tags: heckelphone; keyboard instrument
Additional information can be found here.
Swift, Richard (1927-2003): The Crocodile (Two Duets), 1954
Publisher: ms
Remarks: for bassoon and heckelphone; revised 1995 for two bassoons
Tags: heckelphone; chamber music
Jacob, Gordon (1895-1984): Variations on Annie Laurie, 1956
Remarks: for two piccolo flutes, heckelphone, two contrabass clarinets, two contrabassoons, serpent, contrabass serpent, harmonium, hurdy-gurdy and subcontrabass tuba; premiere on 13 November 1956 in London, UK, at the first Hoffnung Music Festival, by the Festival Ensemble under Gordon Jacob, with James MacGillivray playing heckelphone
Duration: 7min
Tags: heckelphone; chamber music
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Kaper, Bronisław (1902-1983): Green Mansions (film), 1959 [??]this entry has not (yet) been verified
Publisher: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Remarks: based upon the 1904 novel by William Henry Hudson
Tags: heckelphone; film music
Additional information can be found here.
Mielenz, Hans (1909-1996): Concerto für Heckelphon und Orchester, op. 60, 1959
Publisher: ms
Remarks: for heckelphone and large orchestra; based on a 12-tone-series; first recording and broadcast in November 1982 by Georg Otto Klapproth (heckelphone) and the Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie under Reinhard Peters; first live performance on 5 May 1985 in Darmstadt, Germany, by Georg Otto Klapproth (heckelphone) and the Staatstheaterorchester Darmstadt under Hans Drewanz; a version for heckelphone and piano also exists
Duration: 14min
Tags: heckelphone; orchestra, solo, keyboard instrument
North, Alex (1910-1991): Spartacus (film), 1960
Publisher: Universal International
Remarks: orchestrations by Alex North, Maurice de Packh, Samuel Matlovsky, Arthur Morton, Edward B. Powell and David Tamkin
Duration: 39min
Tags: heckelphone; film music
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Amram, David (1930-): The Manchurian Candidate (film), 1962
Publisher: MC Productions
Tags: heckelphone; film music
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Johnson, Aubrey: Honking Heck, 1964 [??]this entry has not (yet) been verified
Remarks: commissioned by the BBC Symphony Orchestra
Tags: heckelphone; jazz
Additional information can be found here.
Sessions, Roger (1896-1985): Psalm 140, 1964
Publisher: Edward B. Marks
Remarks: for soprano and orchestra; premiere 12 February 1966 in Boston (MA), USA, by Anne Elgar (soprano) and the Boston Symphony Orchestra under Erich Leinsdorf; original 1963 version for soprano and organ; commissioned by the Princeton Theological Seminary; dedicated to Janice Harsanyi
Duration: 7min
Tags: heckelphone; orchestra
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Courage, Alexander (1919-2008): Stark Trek: The Cage (TV series), 1965
Remarks: pilot episode of the original Star Trek series; rejected by NBC and later mostly incorporated into the 2-part 1966 episode "The Menagerie"; original version released on VHS in 1986 and first broadcast in 1988
Duration: 64min
Tags: heckelphone; orchestra
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Konietzny, Heinrich (1910-1983): Rezitativ für Heckelphon und Klavier, 1965
Publisher: ms
Remarks: written for Georg Meerwein
Tags: heckelphone; keyboard instrument
North, Alex (1910-1991): The Agony and the Ecstasy (film), 1965
Publisher: Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation
Duration: 138min
Tags: heckelphone; film music
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Stockhausen, Karlheinz (1928-2007): Solo, 1965-1966 [?]this entry is only partially verified
Publisher: Universal Edition
Remarks: for 1 melody instrumentalist with with looping feedback system; dedicated to Alfred Schlee; commissioned by NHK; premiere in two versions on 25 April 1966 in Tokyo, Japan, by Yasusuke Hirata (trombone) and Ryū Noguchi (flute)
Duration: 15min
Tags: heckelphone, bass oboe; chamber music
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Badings, Henk (1907-1987): Concerto for Harp, 1967
Publisher: Donemus (03780)
Remarks: for harp and small orchestra or wind orchestra; commissioned by Robert Austin Boudreau; dedication: Phia Berghout
Duration: 20min
Tags: heckelphone; wind ensemble, orchestra
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Penderecki, Krzysztof (1933-2020): Pittsburgh Overture, 1967
Publisher: Edition Peters (EP 66202)
Remarks: for wind orchestra, percussion and piano; commissioned by Robert Austin Boudreau; premiere on 30 June 1968 in Pittsburgh (PA), USA by the American Wind Symphony Orchestra under Robert Austin Boudreau
Duration: 12min
Tags: heckelphone; wind ensemble
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Badings, Henk (1907-1987): Armageddon, 1968
Publisher: Edition Peters (rental)
Remarks: for soprano solo, wind symphony orchestra and tape
Duration: 12min
Tags: heckelphone; wind ensemble
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Castérède, Jacques (1926-2014): Air Varié (Music for the Oboe Family), 1968
Publisher: Edition Peters (EP 66210)
Remarks: quartet for oboe, oboe d’amore, cor anglais, heckelphone
Duration: 8min
Tags: heckelphone; chamber music
Additional information can be found here.
Eyser, Eberhard (1932-): Sonatina für Heckelphon, 1968
Publisher: STIM 22153, Stockholm
Duration: 8min
Tags: heckelphone; solo
Additional information can be found here.
Eyser, Eberhard (1932-): Polymorphý 2, 1968
Publisher: STIM, Stockholm
Remarks: for 1-3 different oboes
Duration: 6min
Tags: heckelphone, bass oboe; chamber music
Additional information can be found here.
Eyser, Eberhard (1932-): Duo 2, 1968 [??]this entry has not (yet) been verified
Publisher: ms
Remarks: alternate parts for cor anglais or bassoon
Tags: heckelphone; chamber music
Henze, Hans Werner (1926-2012): Das Floß der Medusa, 1968
Publisher: Schott Music (ED 6326)
Remarks: requiem for Che Guevara; for soprano, baritone, narrator, mixed chorus and large orchestra; text by Ernst Schnabel, including passages from Dante's Divina Comedia; premiere on 29 January 1971 in Vienna; revised in 1990
Duration: 70min
Tags: heckelphone; orchestra
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
North, Alex (1910-1991): The Devil's Brigade (film), 1968
Publisher: United Artists
Remarks: heckelphone played by Charles Gould
Duration: 130min
Tags: heckelphone; film music
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Shankar, Ravi (1920-2012): Charly (film), 1968 [?]this entry is only partially verified
Publisher: Cinerama Releasing Corporation
Remarks: based on Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes; premiere on 28 June 1968 in Berlin, Germany
Duration: 106min
Tags: heckelphone; film music
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Blyton, Carey (1932-2002): Before the Party (TV play), 1969
Remarks: adaption of a short story by Somerset Maugham; received the 1970 Drama Series Production Award of the Society of Film and Television Arts; featuring Aubrey Johnson on heckelphone
Duration: 19min
Tags: heckelphone; film music
Additional information can be found here.
Lanza, Alcides (1929-): Penetrations II, 1969 [?]this entry is only partially verified
Remarks: for wind, string, keyboard and percussion instruments, with voices, electronic sounds and electronic extensions
Duration: 12min
Tags: heckelphone, bass oboe; chamber music
A recording is available here.
Lanza, Alcides (1929-): Ekrophonics III, 1969 [??]this entry has not (yet) been verified
Remarks: for 1 wind instrument, 1 string instrument and 1 keyboard
Tags: heckelphone, bass oboe; chamber music
Bartholomeé, Pierre (1937-): Harmonique, 1970
Publisher: Universal Edition
Remarks: for orchestra
Duration: 19min
Tags: heckelphone; orchestra
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Childs, Barney (1926-2000): Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra, 1970
Publisher: American Composers Alliance
Remarks: commissioned by the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and the Wisconsin College Conservatory; dedicated to Phillip Rehfeldt
Duration: 17min
Tags: heckelphone; orchestra
Additional information can be found here.
Dessau, Paul (1894-1979): 14 Stücke aus "Internationale Kriegsfibel", 1944-1970
Publisher: Edition Peters (EP5546)
Remarks: oratorio for 4 solo voices, mixed chorus and orchestra
Tags: heckelphone; orchestra
Additional information can be found here.
Eyser, Eberhard (1932-): Abu Said (Der Sohn des Kalifen), 1970 [?]this entry is only partially verified
Publisher: Breitkopf & Härtel
Remarks: opera in 1 act; libretto by Axel Strindberg; revised 1974; premiere 17 October 1976 in Stockholm
Duration: 90min
Tags: heckelphone; opera
Additional information can be found here.
Smalley, Roger (1953-2015): Melody Study I, 1970 [?]this entry is only partially verified
Publisher: Faber
Remarks: for 4 or more melodic instruments; premiere on 28 April 1970 in London, UK, under Roger Smalley
Tags: heckelphone, bass oboe; chamber music
Smalley, Roger (1953-2015): Melody Study II, 1970 [?]this entry is only partially verified
Publisher: Faber
Remarks: for 4-12 melodic instruments; commissioned by the Nash Concert Society; premiere on 13 May 1970 in London, UK, by the Nash Ensemble
Tags: heckelphone, bass oboe; chamber music
Hespos, Hans Joachim (1938-): Interactions, 1971
Publisher: Verlag Neue Musik (NM2100)
Remarks: for orchestra
Duration: 13min
Tags: heckelphone; orchestra
Additional information can be found here.
Regt, Hendrik de (1950-): Musica, op. 10, 1971
Publisher: Donemus
Remarks: for oboe, cor anglais and heckelphone
Duration: 8min
Tags: heckelphone; chamber music
Additional information can be found here.
Ruzicka, Peter (1948-): Metastrofe (Versuch eines Ausbruchs für 87 Instrumentalisten), 1971
Publisher: Sikorski (rental)
Remarks: commissioned by RIAS Berlin; premiere on 4 Mai 1971 in Berlin, Germany, by the SFB/WDR Radio-Symphonie-Orchester Berlin under Michael Gielen
Duration: 12min
Tags: heckelphone; orchestra
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Weishappel, Rudolf (1921-2006): König Nicolo, 1971
Publisher: Proscenium Artist Management
Remarks: opera in 2 acts and 6 scenes, based on a drama Frank Wedekind; the first, shorter version from 1953 also used heckelphone
Duration: 130min
Tags: heckelphone; opera
Additional information can be found here.
Sinopoli, Giuseppe (1946-2001): Numquid, 1972
Publisher: Suvini Zerboni (S.7590Z)
Remarks: for oboe, oboe d’Amore, cor anglais, heckelphone (4 players) and celesta, piano, cembalo (1 player); dedicated to Lothar Faber; premiere on 19 December 1974 in Paris, France, by Ensemble 2e2m under Jacques Mercier
Duration: 6min
Tags: heckelphone; chamber music
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Hill, Malcolm (1944-): Double-Reed Riddle, 1973
Remarks: for oboe, cor anglais, heckelphone and bassoon; premiere 1974 in London, UK
Duration: 4min
Tags: heckelphone; chamber music
Additional information can be found here.
Ruzicka, Peter (1948-): Etym (Einblendung für großes Orchester), 1973
Publisher: Sikorski (rental)
Remarks: premiere on 23 March 1976 in Royan, France, by the Orchestre Philharmonique des Pays de la Loire under Jean-Claude Casadeus; a later, extended version titled "Einblendungen" was completed in 1977 and premiered on 1 December 1977 in Hannover, Germany, by Radiophilharmonie des NDR under Bernhard Klee
Duration: 5min
Tags: heckelphone; orchestra
Additional information can be found here.
Sayer, Leo (1948-): One Man Band, 1973
Remarks: from the 1974 "Just a Boy"; written by Leo Sayer and David Courtney; the version recorded by Leo Sayers was arranged by Andrew Powell and features a prominent heckelphone part; an earlier version (that did not use heckelphone) was recorded in 1973 by Roger Daltrey
Duration: 3min
Tags: heckelphone; popular music
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Bon, Willem Frederik (1940-1983): Hoboconcert (Oboe Concerto), 1974
Publisher: Donemus (ms, rental)
Remarks: for oboe, heckelphone, cor anglais and oboe d'amore (1 player) and string orchestra; written for Frank van Koten; commissioned by the Cultuurfonds BUMA; premiere on 21 September 1974 at the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Netherlands, by Frank van Koten and the Amsterdam Sinfonietta; the second movement is written for heckelphone
Duration: 14min
Tags: heckelphone; chamber music
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Broughton, Bruce (1945-): Music for Oboes, 1974
Publisher: Prairie Dawg Press (PDP 165)
Remarks: for oboe, cor anglais and baritone oboe (or bassoon); edited by Bruce Gbur; composed for and premiered by Norman Benno (Oboe); Earle Dumler (cor anglais) and John Ellis (heckelphone)
Tags: heckelphone, bass oboe; chamber music
Additional information can be found here.
Dittrich, Paul-Heinz (1930-2020): Unum necessarium, 1974
Publisher: Archiv der Akademie der Künste, Berlin (ms)
Remarks: recital for soprano, 7 instruments and synthesizer; text by Text Paul Eluard; premiere on 18 February 1975 in Berlin, Germany, under Max Pommer
Tags: heckelphone; chamber music
Additional information can be found here.
Seyfrit, Michael (1947-): Refuge, 1974 [??]this entry has not (yet) been verified
Publisher: ACA
Remarks: for cor anglais, clarinet, alto saxophone, trombone, piano, violinm violoncello, contrabass and echo consort (3 unspecified instruments
Tags: heckelphone, bass oboe; chamber music
Additional information can be found here.
Badings, Henk (1907-1987): American Folksong Suite (Concerto for English Horn and Wind Ensemble), 1975
Publisher: Edition Peters (rental)
Remarks: 3rd movement: Variations on “The Bluetail Fly” for oboe, oboe d’amore, cor anglais and heckelphone
Duration: 14min
Tags: heckelphone; wind ensemble
Additional information can be found here.
Hespos, Hans Joachim (1938-): Che, 1975
Publisher: Verlag Neue Musik (NM2197)
Remarks: for large orchestra (2 conductors)
Duration: 22min
Tags: heckelphone; orchestra
Additional information can be found here.
Manzoni, Giacomo (1932-): Percorso a otto (Versione B), 1975
Publisher: Ricordi (NR132463)
Remarks: for double woodwind quartet; premiere on 3 September 1975 in Utrecht, Netherlands; Version B uses 2 flutes, piccolo flute, alto flute, bass flute, cor anglais, heckelphone, clarinet, contrabass clarinet, bassoon and contrabassoon
Duration: 9min
Tags: heckelphone; chamber music
Additional information can be found here.
Méfano, Paul (1937-2020): Ondes (espaces mouvants), 1975
Publisher: Editions Salabert (EAS 17301)
Remarks: for 10 instrumentalists; dedicated to Denise Foucard; premiere on 20 November 1975 in Metz, France
Duration: 14min
Tags: heckelphone; chamber music
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Vivier, Claude (1948-1983): Liebesgedichte, 1975
Publisher: Boosey & Hawkes
Remarks: for soprano, alto, tenor, bass soloists and ensemble; commissioned by the Societé de musique contemporaine du Québec (SMCQ); premiere on 2 October 1975 in Montréal (QC), Canada, by the Société de musique contemporaine du Québec under Serge Garant
Duration: 28min
Tags: heckelphone; chamber music
Additional information can be found here.
Vogt, Hans (1911-1992): Antiphonen (Fassung für 5 Oboeninstrumente), 1975
Publisher: Bote & Bock
Remarks: for piccolo heckelphone/musette, oboe, oboe d’amore, cor anglais, heckelphone and organ; commissioned by Georg Meerwein; premiere on 2 October 1979
Tags: heckelphone, piccolo heckelphone; chamber music
Additional information can be found here.
Eliscu, Robert (1944-1996): Kalenda Maya, 1976 [??]this entry has not (yet) been verified
Remarks: for oboe, 2 cors anglais, heckelphone and 2 bassoons
Tags: heckelphone; chamber music
Hespos, Hans Joachim (1938-): O: Kammermusik für Orchester, 1976
Publisher: Verlag Neue Musik (NM2134)
Remarks: for orchestra
Duration: 21min
Tags: piccolo heckelphone; orchestra
Additional information can be found here.
Huber, Nicolaus A. (1939-): Gespenster, 1976
Publisher: Breitkopf & Härtel (rental)
Remarks: for large orchestra, tape and singer/speaker; text by Berholt Brecht; premiere on 18 May 1977 in Bonn, Germany
Duration: 17min
Tags: heckelphone; orchestra
Additional information can be found here; a recording is available here.
Wozniak, Chad: Oboe Consort in b Minor, op. 71, 1976
Publisher: ms
Remarks: for 2 oboes, oboe d’amore, cor anglais and heckelphone
Duration: 22min
Tags: heckelphone; chamber music
Additional information can be found here.