Oscar Rasbach
Encyclopedia
Oscar Rasbach was an American pianist
and composer
and arranger of art songs and works for piano
.
to study piano
with Theodor Leschetizky and music theory
with Hans Thorton. He returned to the United States
in 1911 and settled in San Marino, California
. There he worked as a pianist, accompanist, teacher, and choral director. His obituary in the local news and the Musical Times claimed that he was a founding member of ASCAP, but the 1966 ASCAP Dictionary says that he joined in 1932.
, around 20 published songs, solos for student pianists, and a few arrangements and instrumental pieces. His most important musical composition was his 1922 setting of Trees, the popular poem by Joyce Kilmer
, published by G. Schirmer
. It was performed and recorded by many important singers of the 20th century, such as Ernestine Schumann-Heink
, John Charles Thomas
, Nelson Eddy
, Robert Merrill
and Paul Robeson
. Tenor John Aler
recorded it more recently on a program entitled Songs we Forgot to Remember.
Piano Solo
Musical arrangements
Other works
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
and composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and arranger of art songs and works for piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
.
Biography
Oscar was born in Kentucky, but studied "academic subjects in Los Angeles". He also studied music with Ludwig Thomas, Julius Albert Jahn, José Anderson, and A. J. Stamm.. He became a businessman, but went to ViennaVienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
to study piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
with Theodor Leschetizky and music theory
Music theory
Music theory is the study of how music works. It examines the language and notation of music. It seeks to identify patterns and structures in composers' techniques across or within genres, styles, or historical periods...
with Hans Thorton. He returned to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1911 and settled in San Marino, California
San Marino, California
San Marino is a small, affluent city in Los Angeles County, California. Incorporated in 1913, the City founders designed the community to be uniquely residential, with expansive properties surrounded by beautiful gardens, wide streets, and well maintained parkways...
. There he worked as a pianist, accompanist, teacher, and choral director. His obituary in the local news and the Musical Times claimed that he was a founding member of ASCAP, but the 1966 ASCAP Dictionary says that he joined in 1932.
Music
Rasbach composed two operettasOperetta
Operetta is a genre of light opera, light in terms both of music and subject matter. It is also closely related, in English-language works, to forms of musical theatre.-Origins:...
, around 20 published songs, solos for student pianists, and a few arrangements and instrumental pieces. His most important musical composition was his 1922 setting of Trees, the popular poem by Joyce Kilmer
Joyce Kilmer
Alfred Joyce Kilmer was an American journalist, poet, literary critic, lecturer, and editor. Though a prolific poet whose works celebrated the common beauty of the natural world as well as his religious faith, Kilmer is remembered most for a short poem entitled "Trees" , which was published in...
, published by G. Schirmer
G. Schirmer
G. Schirmer Inc. is an American classical music publishing company based in New York City, founded in 1861. It publishes sheet music for sale and rental, and represents some well-known European music publishers in North America, such as the Italian Ricordi, Music Sales Affiliates ChesterNovello,...
. It was performed and recorded by many important singers of the 20th century, such as Ernestine Schumann-Heink
Ernestine Schumann-Heink
Ernestine Schumann-Heink was a celebrated Austrian, later American, operatic contralto, noted for the size, beauty, tonal richness, flexibility and wide range of her voice.- Early life:...
, John Charles Thomas
John Charles Thomas
John Charles Thomas was a popular American opera, operetta and concert baritone.-Birth, schooling and stage debut:...
, Nelson Eddy
Nelson Eddy
Nelson Ackerman Eddy was an American singer and actor who appeared in 19 musical films during the 1930s and 1940s, as well as in opera and on the concert stage, radio, television, and in nightclubs. A classically trained baritone, he is best remembered for the eight films in which he costarred...
, Robert Merrill
Robert Merrill
Robert Merrill was an American operatic baritone.-Early life:Merrill was born Moishe Miller, later known as Morris Miller, in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, New York, to tailor Abraham Miller, originally Milstein, and his wife Lillian, née Balaban, immigrants from Warsaw, Poland.His mother...
and Paul Robeson
Paul Robeson
Paul Leroy Robeson was an American concert singer , recording artist, actor, athlete, scholar who was an advocate for the Civil Rights Movement in the first half of the twentieth century...
. Tenor John Aler
John Aler
John Aler is an American lyric tenor who performs in concerts, recitals, and operas. He is particularly known for his interpretations of the works of Mozart, Rossini, Donizetti, Bellini, and Handel....
recorded it more recently on a program entitled Songs we Forgot to Remember.
Musical Compositions
Songs for voice and piano- April (text by Elsie M. Fowler), 1932
- Beloved (text by Josephine Johnson), 1941
- Crossing the Bar (text by Lord Alfred Tennyson), 1939
- Debt (text by Sara TeasdaleSara TeasdaleSara Teasdale , was an American lyrical poet. She was born Sara Trevor Teasdale in St. Louis, Missouri, and after her marriage in 1914 she went by the name Sara Teasdale Filsinger.-Biography:...
), 1926 - Discovery (text by Gilean Douglas), 1945
- The Eagle, (text by Lord Alfred Tennyson), unpublished manuscript
- Gifts (text by Juliana Horatia Ewing), 1930
- The Greater Thing (text by C.T. Davis), 1941
- The Laughing Brook (text by Elizabeth Ellis Scantlebury), 1926, B.F. Wood Music Co. publisher
- The Look (text by Sara TeasdaleSara TeasdaleSara Teasdale , was an American lyrical poet. She was born Sara Trevor Teasdale in St. Louis, Missouri, and after her marriage in 1914 she went by the name Sara Teasdale Filsinger.-Biography:...
), 1925 - Love Shall Light the Haven (Prothalamium) (text by Leigh Hanes), 1936
- Motherhood
- Mountains (text by Leigh Hanes), 1930
- Overtones (text by William Alexander PercyWilliam Alexander PercyWilliam Alexander Percy , was a lawyer, planter, and poet from Greenville, Mississippi. His autobiography Lanterns on the Levee became a bestseller. His father LeRoy Percy was the last United States Senator from Mississippi elected by the legislature...
), 1929 - Prelude in March (text by Gilean Douglas), 1941
- Promise, 1932
- The Redwoods (text by J. B. Strauss), 1937, Sherman, Clay & Co. publisher
- Trees (text by Joyce KilmerJoyce KilmerAlfred Joyce Kilmer was an American journalist, poet, literary critic, lecturer, and editor. Though a prolific poet whose works celebrated the common beauty of the natural world as well as his religious faith, Kilmer is remembered most for a short poem entitled "Trees" , which was published in...
), 1922 - A Wanderer's Song (text by John MasefieldJohn MasefieldJohn Edward Masefield, OM, was an English poet and writer, and Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom from 1930 until his death in 1967...
) - When I am dead, my dearest (text by Christina RossettiChristina RossettiChristina Georgina Rossetti was an English poet who wrote a variety of romantic, devotional, and children's poems...
), 1941
Piano Solo
- Barefoot Boy, 1939
- Daydreams, 1938, Willis Music publisher (John Thompson's students series for the piano)
- El Burrito, 1941
- Étude Mélodique, 1946
- Evening at Padua Hills, 1939
- Folk-Song Sonatinas (In Colonial Days, etc.), 1943
- From 'way Down South (Turkey in the Straw), 1934
- The Old Mill Wheel, 1934
- Pleading, 1934
- Scherzo, 1921
- Spanish Nights, 1934
- Tango, 1936
- Valse Charlene, 1936
- Valse Elaine, 1938
- The Village Blacksmith, 1939
- Waltz Improvisation
- Wishing
- Woods at Night, 1938
Musical arrangements
- España (Emmanuel ChabrierEmmanuel ChabrierEmmanuel Chabrier was a French Romantic composer and pianist. Although known primarily for two of his orchestral works, España and Joyeuse marche, he left an important corpus of operas , songs, and piano music as well...
), for piano solo - Sigh No More, Ladies (James H. Rogers/Shakespeare), for women's chorus, 1959
- The Skaters (Emil Waldteufel), for piano solo, 1941
- Thou, too, sail on, O Ship of State! (text by Henry Wadsworth LongfellowHenry Wadsworth LongfellowHenry Wadsworth Longfellow was an American poet and educator whose works include "Paul Revere's Ride", The Song of Hiawatha, and Evangeline...
) (Englebert Humperdinck, "Abends, will ich schlafen gehn" from Hansel and Gretel), for women's chorus, 1943 - You and You (Johann Strauss IIJohann Strauss IIJohann Strauss II , also known as Johann Baptist Strauss or Johann Strauss, Jr., the Younger, or the Son , was an Austrian composer of light music, particularly dance music and operettas. He composed over 500 waltzes, polkas, quadrilles, and other types of dance music, as well as several operettas...
, Die FledermausDie FledermausDie Fledermaus is an operetta composed by Johann Strauss II to a German libretto by Karl Haffner and Richard Genée.- Literary sources :...
), for piano solo
Other works
- Dawn Boy, Indian Operetta in 2 Acts and 3 Scenes (book and lyrics by C. Allen), 1933
- Gifts, violin and piano
- Open House, operetta
- Songs Without Words, string ensemble with piano (arr. by Louis Hintze), 1937
Filmography
His song Trees was used in 10 film and television productions:- The In-Laws, 1979 (uncredited)
- All in the Family (TV series), "The Bunkers Go West", 1978 (uncredited)
- Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall (TV series), Episode dated 21 March 1959 (uncredited)
- Melody Time, 1948
- Blondie in Society, 1941
- Woman Chases Man, 1937 (uncredited)
- Toyland Broadcast (short), 1934 (uncredited)
- The Tree's Knees (short), 1931
- Dorothy Whitmore (short), 1928
- Mme. Ernestine Schumann-Heink (short), 1927