Eine Neubearbeitung der Original-Musik Eduard Künnekes zum Stummfilm DAS BLUMENWUNDER für Orgel / Kinoorgel

Abstract

The silent movie DAS BLUMENWUNDER (D 1926, Max Reichmann) produced 1922–1925, duration: 63 min. illustrates many different plants and blossoms as dynamic, living organisms by using time-lapse footage. An introductory background story as well as seven dance scenes complement to the plants reviving due to the time-lapse technique. The expression of the pictures is greatly intensified by the musical accompaniment composed by Eduard Künneke in 1926.

DAS BLUMENWUNDER blends dramatic, scientific and educational elements typical of a Kulturfilm (culture film), but this movie is still quite unknown. Since the rediscovery of the musical accompaniment from 1926, which matches the footage exactly, this movie has been performed many times and has become available on DVD.

To also provide Künneke’s film music to solo accompanists, the author has transcribed the score for (theatre) organ or, alternatively, for two pianos as close to the 1926 version as possible. Remarks regarding this new arrangement are provided.

The article also reveals some inconsistency between the film scenes and music in the final part indicating that material of four minutes has been cut from the last part.