The film director Fritz Lang cast Gottfried Huppertz (1887-1937) in several of his films before asking him to write the original score for "Die Nibelungen" (1924), which he composed using the shooting script as a silent libretto. It was Huppertz's first major project and his mastery of orchestration is nothing short of remarkable. Huppertz wrote in a lush, late-Romantic idiom. With "Die Nibelungen", he evokes Wagner's take on Teutonic mythology through a highly lyrical and an orchestral expansive score that resists being imitative. The music echoes Wagner without attempting to mimic it. At the same time, Huppertz's musical language resembles Alexander von Zemlinsky, Franz Schreker, Walter Braunfels and Eugene D'Albert. As one of the first composers of serious music for the screen, Huppertz's importance for elevating film music to the status of art is hard to exaggerate. Though he died in 1937, his influence is clearly felt in the film scores work of Korngold, Waxman and Max Steiner. The present 4-CD-set offers Huppertz's complete original score for Lang's "Die Nibelungen", in total four and a half hours of music, performed by the Frankfurt Radio Symphony under the baton of Frank Strobel, Germany's leading film music conductor.

Tracklist:

Titelmusik (From "Die Nibelungen: Titelmusik (Title Music)
In Der Waldschmiede Mimes (From "Die Nibelungen: In Der Waldschmiede Mimes (In Mime's Wood Forge)
Vor Der Schmiede Mimes (From "Die Nibelungen: Vor Der Schmiede Mimes (In Front Of Mime's Wood Forge)
Gang In Der Königsburg (From "Die Nibelungen: Gang In Der Konigsburg (Hallway In The King's Castle)
Inneres Des Doms / Vor Der Schmiede Mimes (From "Die Nibelungen: Inneres Des Doms (Inside The Cathedral) - Vor Der Schmiede
An Der Drachenquelle (From "Die Nibelungen: An Der Drachenquelle (At The Dragon's Well)
Kampf Siegfried / Drache (From "Die Nibelungen: Kampf Siegfried - Drache (Fight Between Siegfried And The Dragon)
Lindenzweig / Singender Vogel / Bade Im Blut / Lindenblatt (From "Die Nibelungen: Lindenzweig (Linden Leaf) - Singender Vog
Halle Der Burgunden (From "Die Nibelungen: Halle Der Burgunden (Hall Of The Burgundians)
Waldwiese / Alberich Und Siegfried (From "Die Nibelungen: Waldwiese (Forest Clearing) - Alberich Und Siegfried (Alberich An
Tropfsteinhöhle (From "Die Nibelungen: Tropfsteinhohle (Limestone Cave)
Nibelungenhort (From "Die Nibelungen: Nibelungenhort (The Nibelungs' Refuge)
Halle Und Burgbrücke Der Burgunden (From "Die Nibelungen: Halle Und Burgbrucke Der Burgunden (Hall And Mountain Bridge
Kemenate Kriemhilds / Falkentraum (From "Die Nibelungen: Kemenate Kriemhilds (Kriemhild's Bower) - Falkentraum (Falcon
Bankettsaal Zu Worms (From "Die Nibelungen: Bankettsaal Zu Worms (Banquet Hall At Worms)
Die Burg Brunhilds (From "Die Nibelungen: Die Burg Brunhilds (Brunhild's Castle)
Saal Brunhilds (From "Die Nibelungen: Saal Brunhilds (Brunhild's Hall)
Vor Dem Tor Der Burg (From "Die Nibelungen: Vor Dem Tor Der Burg (In Front Of The Castle Gate)
Der Kampfplatz (From "Die Nibelungen: Der Kampfplatz (The Arena)
Der Wettkampf Brunhild / Gunther (From "Die Nibelungen: Der Wettkampf Brunhild - Gunther (The Competition Between Brunhild
Das Rheintal / Königsschiff Brunhilds (From "Die Nibelungen: Das Rheintal (The Rhine Valley) - Konigsschiff Brunhilds
Burghof Vor Dem Dom (From "Die Nibelungen: Burghof Vor Dem Dom (Castle Yard In Front Of The Cathedral)
Im Dom (From "Die Nibelungen: Im Dom (In The Cathedral)
Alter Thingplatz / Hagen, Siegfried, Gunther (From "Die Nibelungen: Alter Thingplatz (Old Thingstead) - Hagen, Siegfried, G
Schlafgemach Kriemhilds (From "Die Nibelungen: Schlafgemach Kriemhilds (Kriemhild's Bedchamber)
Halle Der Burgunden (From "Die Nibelungen: Halle Der Burgunden (Hall Of The Burgundians)
Kampf Gunther / Brunhild (From "Die Nibelungen: Kampf Gunther - Brunhild (The Fight Between Gunther And Brunhild)
Zug Der Maultiere (From "Die Nibelungen: Zug Der Maultiere (Procession Of The Mules)
Halle Der Burgunden / Schlafgemach Kriemhilds (From "Die Nibelungen: Halle Der Burgunden (Hall Of The Burgundians) - Schlaf
Burggarten / Kriemhild Und Siegfried (From "Die Nibelungen: Burggarten (Castle Garden) - Kriemhild Und Siegfried (Kriemhild
Burgbrücke Und Halle Der Burgunden / Kriemhild Und Siegfried (From "Die Nibelungen: Burgbrucke Und Halle Der Burgunden
Vor Der Schatzhalle / Halle Der Burgunden (From "Die Nibelungen: Vor Der Schatzhalle (In Front Of The Treasure Hall) - Hall
Kemenate Brunhilds (From "Die Nibelungen: Kemenate Brunhilds (Brunhild's Bedchamber)
Vor Dem Dome / Konfrontation Kriemhild-Brunhild (From "Die Nibelungen: Vor Dem Dome (In Front Of The Cathedral) - Konfronta
Vor Der Schatzhalle / Burghof (From "Die Nibelungen: Vor Der Schatzhalle (In Front Of The Treasure Hall) - Burghof (Castle
Kemenate Brunhilds (From "Die Nibelungen: Kemenate Brunhilds (Brunhild's Bedchamber)
Halle Der Burgunden (From "Die Nibelungen: Halle Der Burgunden (Hall Of The Burgundians)
Kemenate Kriemhilds / Burghof (From "Die Nibelungen: Kemenate Kriemhilds (Kriemhild's Bedchamber) - Burghof (Castle Yar
Burgbrücke / Kemenate Kriemhilds (From "Die Nibelungen: Burgbrucke (Castle Bridge) - Kemenate Kriemhilds (Kriemhild&#3
Hochwald / Waldsee / Jagd (From "Die Nibelungen: Hochwald (High Forest) - Waldsee (Forest Lake) - Jagd (Hunt)
Die Quelle (From "Die Nibelungen: Die Quelle (The Source)
Der Lagerplatz / Wettkampf (From "Die Nibelungen: Der Lagerplatz (The Storage Yard) - Wettkampf (Contest)
Quelle / Tod Siegfrieds (From "Die Nibelungen: Quelle (Source) - Tod Siegfrieds (Siegfried's Death)
Schlafgemach Kriemhilds / Burghof (From "Die Nibelungen: Schlafgemach Kriemhilds (Kriemhild's Bedchamber) - Burghof (Ca
Kemenate Kriemhilds / Kriemhild Erkennt Siegfrieds Tod (From "Die Nibelungen: Kemenate Kriemhilds (Kriemhild's Bedchamb
Kemenate Brunhilds (From "Die Nibelungen: Kemenate Brunhilds (Brunhild's Bedchamber)
Kemenate Kriemhilds / Kriemhilds Schwur (From "Die Nibelungen: Kemenate Kriemhilds (Kriemhild's Bedchamber) - Kriemhild
Im Dom (From "Die Nibelungen: Im Dom (In The Cathedral)
Titelmusik (From "Die Nibelungen: Titelmusik (Title Music)
Die Gruft Siegfrieds / Der Bankettsaal Zu Worms (From "Die Nibelungen: Die Gruft Siegfrieds (Siegfried's Vault) - Der B
Vor Der Grabkapelle Siegfrieds / Schatzhalle (From "Die Nibelungen: Vor Der Grabkapelle Siegfrieds (In Front Of Siegfried&#
Halle Der Burgunden (From "Die Nibelungen: Halle Der Burgunden (Hall Of The Burgundians)
Kemenate Kriemhilds / Halle Der Burgunden (From "Die Nibelungen: Kemenate Kriemhilds (Kriemhild's Bedchamber) - Halle D
Schatzhalle / Rheinufer / Kemenate Kriemhilds (From "Die Nibelungen: Schatzhalle (Treasure Hall) - Rheinufer (The Banks Of
Waldquelle (From "Die Nibelungen: Waldquelle (Forest Source)
In Der Gruft Siegfrieds (From "Die Nibelungen: In Der Gruft Siegfrieds (In Siegfried's Vault)
Burghof (From "Die Nibelungen: Burghof (Castle Yard)
Hunnen-Hügelkuppe / Weite Ebene / Zug Kriemhilds (From "Die Nibelungen: Hunnen-Hugelkuppe (Huns' Hill Crest) - Wei
Saal Der Etzelburg (From "Die Nibelungen: Saal Der Etzelburg (Attila's Castle Hall)
Vor Der Etzelburg (From "Die Nibelungen: Vor Der Etzelburg (In Front Of Attila's Castle)
Saal Der Etzelburg (From "Die Nibelungen: Saal Der Etzelburg (Attila's Castle Hall)
Zeltlager Etzels (From "Die Nibelungen: Zeltlager Etzels (Attila's Tent Camp)
Lied Des Werbel (From "Die Nibelungen: Lied Des Werbel (Song Of Werbel)
Ankunft Des Blaodel (From "Die Nibelungen: Ankunft Des Blaodel (Arrival Of Blaodel)
Gemach Kriemhilds In Der Etzelburg (From "Die Nibelungen: Gemach Kriemhilds In Der Etzelburg (Kriemhild's Chamber In At
Brachland / Hunnen / Kleiner Hügel / Kinder-Ringelreihen (From "Die Nibelungen: Brachland (Fallow) - Hunnen (Huns) - K
Gemach Kriemhilds In Der Etzelburg (From "Die Nibelungen: Gemach Kriemhilds In Der Etzelburg (Kriemhild's Chamber In At
Kemenate Kriemhilds, Hunnenland / Halle Zu Bechlarn (From "Die Nibelungen: Kemenate Kriemhilds, Hunnenland (Kriemhild's
Zelt Gunthers / Schlafgemach Kriemhilds / Ritt Der Hunnen (From "Die Nibelungen: Zelt Gunthers (Gunther' Tent) - Schlaf
Hof Der Etzelburg / Einzug Der Burgunden (From "Die Nibelungen: Hof Der Etzelburg (Yard Of Attila's Castle) - Einzug De
Kleines Gemach Auf Der Etzelburg / Kriemhild Fordert Einlösung Von Etzels Schwur (From "Die Nibelungen: Kleines Gemach
Kellerraum (From "Die Nibelungen: Kellerraum (Cellar Room)
Hof Der Etzelburg (From "Die Nibelungen: Hof Der Etzelburg (Yard Of Attila's Castle)
Saal Der Etzelburg (From "Die Nibelungen: Saal Der Etzelburg (Attila's Castle Hall)
Saal Der Knechte (From "Die Nibelungen: Saal Der Knechte (Servants' Hall)
Saal Der Etzelburg / Mauer / Saal Der Knechte (From "Die Nibelungen: Saal Der Etzelburg (Hall In Attila's Castle) - Mau
Werbels Tanz / Saal Der Etzelburg / Kleines Gemach In Der Etzelburg (From "Die Nibelungen: Werbels Tanz (Werbel's Dance
Werbels Tanz / Saal Der Etzelburg (From "Die Nibelungen: Werbels Tanz (Werbel's Dance) - Saal Der Etzelburg (Hall In At
Saal Der Knechte / Messertanz / Kampf / Der Verrat (From "Die Nibelungen: Saal Der Knechte (Servants' Hall) - Messertan
Saal Der Etzelburg / Tod Des Kindes (From "Die Nibelungen: Saal Der Etzelburg (Hall In Attila's Castle) - Tod Des Kinde
Saal Und Hof Der Etzelburg (From "Die Nibelungen: Saal Und Hof Der Etzelburg (Hall And Yard Of Attila's Castle)
Rache Der Hunnen / Beginn Des Kampfs / Gemach Etzels (From "Die Nibelungen: Rache Der Hunnen (The Huns' Revenge) - Begi
Hunnendorfstraße / Etzelburg (From "Die Nibelungen: Hunnendorfstrasse (Huns's Village Street) - Etzelburg (Attila
Saal Und Galerie Der Etzelburg (From "Die Nibelungen: Saal Und Galerie Der Etzelburg (Hall And Balcony Of Attila's Cast
Giselher / Kriemhild (From "Die Nibelungen: Giselher - Kriemhild
Gemach Dietrichs Von Bern (From "Die Nibelungen: Gemach Dietrichs Von Bern (Dietrich Of Berne's Chamber)
Etzelburg / Kampf (From "Die Nibelungen: Etzelburg (Attila's Castle) - Kampf (Battle)
Hof Der Etzelburg / Gemach Etzels (From "Die Nibelungen: Hof Der Etzelburg (Yard Of Attila's Castle) - Gemach Etzels (A
Saal Und Hof Der Etzelburg / Rüdiger Erschlägt Giselher (From "Die Nibelungen: Saal Und Hof Der Etzelburg (Hall A
Kampf Zwischen Rüdiger Und Volker (From "Die Nibelungen: Kampf Zwischen Rudiger Und Volker (Fight Between Rudiger And
Kriemhild Auf Dem Turm / Hof Der Etzelburg (From "Die Nibelungen: Kriemhild Auf Dem Turm (Kriemhild On The Tower) - Hof Der
Etzelburg / Feuerbrand (From "Die Nibelungen: Etzelburg (Attila' Castle) - Fire Blight (Feuerbrand)
Gemach Etzels / Saal Der Etzelburg (From "Die Nibelungen: Gemach Etzels (Attila's Chamber) - Saal Der Etzelburg (Hall I
Volkers Gesang (From "Die Nibelungen: Volkers Gesang (Volker's Song)
Treppe Der Etzelburg (From "Die Nibelungen: Treppe Der Etzelburg (Stairway Of Attila's Castle)

UPC: 7619990103450
Label: Pan Classics
Release Date: 9.25.15
Format: CD

Huppertz / Frankfurt Radio Symphony / Strobel - Die Nibelungen (Original Soundtrack) (4 CD)