Hermann Reutter (17 June 1900 – 1 January 1985) was a German composer and pianist. He was born in Stuttgart. The compositions of Hermann Reutter are not well known, though his musical career was one of great excellence and long duration. Reutter was, at one time or another, a teacher, administrator (director of the Hochschule für Musik, first in Berlin and later in Stuttgart), composer, recitalist and accompanist. His song output demonstrates a remarkable sensitivity to poetry and awesome musical originality. It also encompassed an amazing breadth of poetic sources; a variety of Russian poets, Rilke, Rückert, Lorca, Icelandic poems, Hölderlin, ancient Egyptian poems, Goethe, Sappho and Langston Hughes, amongst many others. Reutter was a member of the Nazi Party. He died in Heidenheim an der Brenz.
Reutter's compositions are published by
Schott Music.
StageSaul, opera in 1 act, Op. 33 (1928, 2nd version 1947); libretto after the play by Alexander Lernet-HoleniaDer verlorene Sohn, opera in 5 scenes, Op. 34 (1929); libretto by Rainer Maria Rilke after André Gide; revised 1952 as oratorio Die Rückkehr des verlorenen SohnesDie Prinzessin und der Schweinehirt, musical drama in 10 scenes (1938); libretto after Hans Christian AndersenDer Lübecker Totentanz, ein altes Mysterienspiel, Op. 35 (1948)Der neue Hiob, ein Lehrstück (didactic drama) for soloists, chorus, piano and string orchestra, Op. 37 (1930); libretto by Robert SeitzDoktor Johannes Faust, opera in 3 acts, Op. 47 (1936, revised 1955); libretto by Ludwig Andersen after the puppet play by Karl Joseph SimrockDie Kirmes von Delft, ballet in 4 scenes, Op. 48 (1937)Odysseus, opera in 3 acts, Op. 55 (1942); libretto by Rudolf BachDer Weg nach Freudenstadt. Ballade der Landstraße in 5 scenes, Op. 66 (1948); libretto by Sonja KortyDon Juan und Faust, opera in 7 scenes, Op. 75 (1950); libretto by Ludwig Andersen after Christian Dietrich GrabbeTopsy. Ein Spiel nach einer Idee von Sonia Korty, Op. 76 (1950); libretto by Fred Schmitz after the idea by Sonja KortyNotturno Montmartre, ballet in 4 scenes (1952)Die Witwe von Ephesus, opera in 1 act (1954, 2nd version 1965); libretto by Ludwig Andersen after PetroniusDer Tod des Empedokles, "Concerto Scenico" in 2 acts (1954, 2nd version 1966); libretto by Friedrich HölderlinDie Brücke von San Luis Rey, scenes from the novel The Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder (1954); 2 versions; libretto by Gerhard ReutterHamlet, opera in 5 acts (1979–1980); libretto by August Wilhelm Schlegel after William ShakespeareOrchestralDie Kirmes von Delft, ballet suite, Op. 48 (1937)Tanz-Variationen, Op. 76a (1951)Notturno Montmartre, ballet suite (1952)Sinfonie for string orchestra (1960)Figurinen zu Hofmannsthals "Jedermann" (1972)ConcertanteConcerto No. 1 for piano and chamber orchestra, Op. 19 (1926)Sinfonische Fantasie, concerto no. 3 for piano and orchestra, Op. 50 (1938)Concerto No. 4 "Variation über ein eigenes Thema in einem Satz" (Variations on an Original Theme in One Movement) in G minor, Op. 62 (1947)Concerto in E♭ in one movement for 2 pianos and orchestra, Op. 63 (1947)Concertino for piano and string orchestra, Op. 69 (1947)Konzertvariationen (Concert Variations) for piano and orchestra (1951)Aus dem Hohelied Salomonis (From the Song of Solomon), concerto grosso for alto, viola, piano and orchestra (1956)Prozession, dialogue for cello and orchestra (1957); written for and premiered by cellist Gaspar CassadóCapriccio, Aria und Finale for piano and orchestra (1963)Epitaph für Ophelia for violin and chamber orchestra (or piano) (1979)Chamber musicRhapsodie for violin and piano, Op. 51 (1939)Musik for viola and piano (1951)Cinco Caprichos sobre Cervantes (5 Caprices on Cervantes) for viola solo (1968)Pièce concertante for alto saxophone and piano (1968)Sonata Monotematica for cello or bassoon and piano (1972)PianoFantasia apocalyptica, Op. 7 (1926)Variationen über den Choral "Komm, süßer Tod, komm, sel'ge Ruh'!" von Johann Sebastian Bach, Op. 15 (1928)Die Passion in 9 Inventionen aus den "Biblischen Szenen", Op. 25 (1930); also for guitar (1984)Tanz-Suite (Dance Suite), Op. 29Kleine Klavierstücke (Little Piano Pieces), Op. 28Vocal3 Gesänge for medium voice and string quartet or string orchestra, Op. 3 (1937); words by Friedrich HölderlinRussische Lieder (Russian Songs), 8 Songs for voice and piano, Op. 21 (1927); words by Fyodor Tyutchev, Calzow, Sergei Yesenin and Leo TolstoyMissa brevis for alto, violin and cello, Op. 22 (1930)Russische Lieder (Russian Songs), 6 Songs for voice and piano, Op. 23 (1930); words by Leo Tolstoy, Mikhail Lermontov, Calzow, Afanasy Fet and Alexander BlokDie Weise von Liebe und Tod des Cornets Christoph Rilke for medium voice and piano, Op. 31 (1947); words by Rainer Maria RilkeSolokantate nach Worten des Matthias Claudius (Solo-Cantata on words of Matthias Claudius) for alto, viola and piano (or organ), Op. 45 (1948)4 Lieder for voice and piano, Op. 54 (1941); words by Friedrich Rückert3 Gesänge for low voice and piano, Op. 56 (1944); words by Friedrich HölderlinFünf antike Oden nach Gedichten von Sappho (5 Ancient Odes after Poetry of Sappho) for mezzo-soprano, viola and piano, Op. 57 (1947)5 Lieder for low voice and piano, Op. 58 (1945); words by Theodor Storm9 Lieder und Gesänge for high voice and piano, Op. 59 (1948); words by Gottfried Keller3 Lieder for high voice and piano, Op. 60 (1946); words by Matthias Claudius3 Lieder for high voice and piano, Op. 61 (1945); words by Clemens Brentano3 Lieder nach Gedichten von Friedrich Hölderlin for high voice and piano, Op. 67 (1946–1947); words by Friedrich HölderlinRussische Lieder (Russian Songs), 7 Songs for voice and piano, Op. 68 (1947); words by Leo Tolstoy, Sergei Yesenin and Nikolay Gumilev7 Gesänge aus "Gesicht und Antlitz" (Ehrler-Zyklus I) for baritone and piano, Op. 64 (1948); words by Hans Heinrich Ehrler12 Lieder aus "Gesicht und Antlitz" (Ehrler-Zyklus II) for high voice and piano, Op. 65 (1948); words by Hans Heinrich EhrlerLyrisches Konzert for soprano, flute, piano, timpani and string orchestra, Op. 70 (1948); words by Eckart PeterichSechs Gedichte aus "Westöstlicher Diwan" for soprano, baritone and piano, Op. 73 (1949); words by Johann Wolfgang von GoetheMonolog der Iphigenie for female voice and orchestra, Op. 74 (1949); words by Johann Wolfgang von GoetheHymne an Deutschland for medium voice and piano (1950); words by Rudolf Alexander SchröderDer himmlische Vagant, Lyrisches Portrait des François Villon for alto, baritone and chamber orchestra (1951); words by François VillonLieder der Liebe, 4 Gedichte for soprano and piano (1951); words by Ricarda HuchKleines geistliches Konzert nach Worten von Christian Wagner (Little Sacred Concerto on Words of Christian Wagner) for alto and viola (1953)Spanischer Totentanz, 5 Poems for 2 medium voices and orchestra (1953); words by Federico García LorcaAus dem Hohelied Salomonis (From the Song of Solomon), Concerto Grosso for alto, viola, piano and orchestra (1956)3 Zigeunerromanzen for voice and piano (1956); words by Federico García LorcaMeine dunklen Hände, 5 Negergedichte for baritone and piano (1956); words by Langston Hughes and Arna BontempsDie Jahreszeiten, 4 Gedichte for medium voice and piano (1957); words by Friedrich Hölderlin6 späte Gedichte for voice and piano (1957); words by Ricarda HuchWeltlicht, 7 Icelandic Poems for bass and orchestra (1959); words after the novel Heimsljós (World Light) by Halldór LaxnessKleine Ballade von den drei Flüssen for soprano and chamber orchestra or piano (1960); words by Federico García LorcaEin kleines Requiem for bass, cello and piano (1961); words by Federico García LorcaAndalusiana, Arien und Intermezzi for soprano and orchestra or piano (1962); words by Federico García LorcaEin Füllen ward geboren, Chanson Variée in 3 Strophen for medium voice and piano (1962)Epitaph für einen Dichter for high voice and piano (1962); words from A Green Bough by William Faulkner5 Fragmente nach Friedrich Hölderlin for tenor and piano (1965); words by Friedrich HölderlinDrei Monologe des Empedokles for baritone and orchestra or piano (1966); words by Friedrich HölderlinSzene und Monolog der Marfa for soprano and orchestra (1966); words from the play Demetrius by Friedrich SchillerSankt Sebastian, Triptychon for baritone and piano (1968); words by E. F. SommerBogenschützen, Vocalise for high voice and piano (1971); words by Federico García Lorca9 Lieder nach Gedichten von Ricarda Huch for voice and piano (1971); words by Ricarda HuchChamber Music, 4 Selected Poems for low male voice and piano (1972); words by James Joyce5 Lieder nach Gedichten von Marie Luise Kaschnitz for medium voice and piano (1972); words by Marie Luise Kaschnitz4 Lieder nach Gedichten von Nelly Sachs for medium voice and piano (1972); words by Nelly SachsPrediger Salomo (12, 1-9), Solo Cantata for low voice, flute and piano or organ (1973)Tre Notturni, 3 Gedichte for low male voice, piano and wind quintet (flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, bassoon) (1975); words by Friedrich NietzscheDer Liebe will ich singen, Minnenlieder aus der Zeit der Staufer for soprano, baritone and orchestra or piano (1976)3 Lieder der Ophelia aus Shakespeares Hamlet for soprano and piano (1980); words by William ShakespeareHamlet-Sinfonie in 2 parts for soprano, mezzo-soprano, 2 tenors, 2 baritones, 2 choristers, narrator and orchestra (1982); words by August Wilhelm Schlegel after William ShakespeareHamlets erster und zweiter Monolog for the opera Hamlet for baritone and piano (1982); words by August Wilhelm Schlegel after William ShakespeareChoralDie Rückkehr des verlorenen Sohnes, chamber oratorio in 5 scenes for soloists, mixed chorus and orchestra, Op. 34 (1929, revised 1952); revision of the opera Der verlorene Sohn; words by André Gide in translation by Rainer Maria RilkeDer große Kalender, oratorio for soprano, baritone, mixed chorus, children's chorus, organ and orchestra, Op. 43 (1933, revised 1970)Der glückliche Bauer, cantata after songs of Matthias Claudius for mixed or male chorus and orchestra, Op. 44 (revised version 1957); words by Matthias ClaudiusGesang des Deutschen, cantata for soprano, baritone, mixed chorus and orchestra, Op. 49 (1937); words by Friedrich HölderlinChorfantasie in 3 movements for soprano, baritone, mixed chorus and orchestra, Op. 52 (1939); words by Johann Wolfgang von GoethePandora, cantata for soprano, baritone, mixed chorus and orchestra, Op. 72 (1949); words by Johann Wolfgang von GoetheBauernhochzeit. 8 Gedichte zum Singen, Spielen und Tanzen for mixed chorus and orchestra (1950); words from Stimmen der Völker (The Voices of Peoples) by Johann Gottfried HerderSechs Chöre for mixed chorus, wind orchestra, piano, timpani and percussion (1952); words from El Gran Teatro del mundo by Pedro Calderón de la BarcaTriptychon for tenor, mixed chorus and orchestra (1959); words by Friedrich Schiller