Does sheet music of The Comedian Harmonists’ songs exist today?
The answer, like the Harmonists’ musical journey, is a bit complex. While the original sheet music for most of their songs was undoubtedly lost or destroyed during the turbulent years of World War II and its aftermath, a dedicated effort by musicologists, fans, and even family members has brought many of their tunes back to life.
Here’s what we know:
Scattered Scores: Fragments of sheet music have surfaced over the years, passed down through families, unearthed in archives, or discovered in unexpected corners of the internet. These precious pieces offer clues to the Harmonists’ arrangements and harmonies, but often lack complete instrumental parts or vocal lines.
Meticulous Reconstructions: Musicologists, armed with recordings and fragmentary scores, have undertaken the painstaking task of reconstructing entire compositions. They meticulously analyze recordings, transcribe vocal parts, and fill in missing instrumental sections based on their knowledge of the group’s style and period.
Modern Editions: Thanks to these efforts, several collections of Comedian Harmonists sheet music are now available for purchase. These editions typically combine reconstructed scores with historical information and background on the songs, offering a valuable resource for performers and enthusiasts alike.
The quest for the Harmonists’ complete musical repertoire and the preservation of their legacy still continues today. The writers of Harmony: A New Musical, Bruce Sussman and Barry Manilow have worked tirelessly to preserve and tell the story of these iconic performers. Come down to the Ethel Barrymore Theatre to hear the story of The Comedian Harmonists!
The Musical about The Comedian Harmonists
Harmony, a new musical about The Comedian Harmonists, is now on Broadway.
The complete Broadway cast includes Chip Zien as Rabbi, Sierra Boggess as Mary, Julie Benko as Ruth, Sean Bell, Danny Kornfeld, Zal Owen, Eric Peters, Blake Roman, and Steven Telsey as the Comedian Harmonists, Allison Semmes as Josephine Baker, Andrew O’Shanick as Standartenfϋhrer, Zak Edwards, Dan Hoy, Bruce Landry, Rhonni Rose Mantilla, Daniel Z. Miller, Benjamin H. Moore, Matthew Mucha, Constantine Pappas, Kayleen Seidl, Kyla Stone, Bronwyn Tarboton, Kate Wesler, Stuart Zagnit, and Lee Zarrett.
To learn more about Harmony: A New Musical, click here.
