Helmy Kresa, (born in Meissen, Germany on November 7, 1904, [1] died 1991, Long Island, New York) was a songwriter and the principal arranger and orchestrator for Irving Berlin. [2]
In 1931, Kresa wrote " That's My Desire", which Frankie Laine, Louis Armstrong and a host of others recorded. He also composed the instrumental music for Martin Scorsese's film Raging Bull.
Kresa's was the first published arrangement of " All of Me", written by Gerald Marks and Seymour Simons. He also acted as the arranger for Berlin for some stage musicals, including Call Me Madam (1952), Miss Liberty (1950) and Annie Get Your Gun (1949).
In 1953, Kresa, Sammy Gallop, and Michael Grace collaborated on the following songs:
Midnight in New York [3]
Teeny, Weeny Martini [4]
Cradled in the Arms of Love [5]
In 1926, Kresa began working for Berlin, where he transcribed what Berlin was playing into musical manuscript form as Berlin could neither read nor write music, eventually becoming the general professional manager of the Irving Berlin Music Company. [6]
He died of pneumonia in Southampton Hospital, Southampton, Long Island, New York.
His son is Kent Kresa.
Discography
| Title | Year | Words | Lyrics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freddy the Rabbit:
Opera in Four Minutes [7] |
1948 | Lenny Ross | Helmy Kresa |
| Oscar the Octopus:
Opera in Four Minutes [8] |
1948 | Lenny Ross | Helmy Kresa |
| My O-HI-O Heaven [9] | 1951 | Helmy Kresa
& Al Lewis |
Helmy Kresa
& Al Lewis |
| Miracle of Fatima [10] | 1952 | Michael Grace | Helmy Kresa |
| Midnight in New York [11] | 1953 | Sammy Gallop | Hemly Kresa &
Michael Grace |
| Love Waltz [12] | 1953 | Michael Grace | Helmy Kresa &
Michael Grace |
| I Will Follow Your Star [13] | 1952 | Michael Grace | Helmy Kresa |
| Fourth Man Theme [14] | 1953 | Helmy Kresa &
Michael Grace | |
| Teeny, Weeny Martini | 1953 | Sammy Gallop | Helmy Kresa &
Michael Grace |
| Cradled in the Arms of Love | 1953 | Sammy Gallop | Helmy Kresa &
Michael Grace |
References
- ^ ASCAP Biographical Dictionary (1948)
- ^ "Helmy Kresa, Songwriter, 86". The New York Times. 23 August 1991 – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ T rea, lelmy.MIDNIGHT IN NEW, YORK; w Sammy Gallopm Michael Grace &'Helmy Kresa ©Gabriel Records 7May53 EU315329IILibrary of CongressCopyright Office
- ^ "WebVoyage Record View 1". cocatalog.loc.gov. Retrieved 2023-08-24.
- ^ "WebVoyage Record View 1". cocatalog.loc.gov. Retrieved 2023-08-24.
- ^ "White Christmas".
- ^ M1995 KRESA, HELMY, 1899-.K978 Freddy the rabbit, opera in fourF7 minutes, [by] Helmy Kresa, [wordsby] Lanny Ross. © G. Schirmer,inc., New York; 8Nov48; EP31755.For voice and piano.I. Ross, Lanny, lyricist. II. Title.Libfry of CongreooCopynght Oice
- ^ M1995 KRESA, HELMY, 1899-= ,K978 Oscar the octopus, opera in four08 minutes, [by] Helmy Kresa, [wordsby) Lanny Ross. © G. Schirmer,;)inc., New York; 8Nov48; EP31756.For voice and piano.I. Ross, Lanny, lyricist. II. Title.Litrar> of Congr-s'Ccpvnght Office
- ^ Kresa, Helmy.My 0;HI-, HEAVEN; w, m & © Helmy Kresa& Al Lewis 5Apr51 EU234573Library of CongressCopyright Office
- ^ Kresa, Helmy.MIRACLE OF.FATIMA; w Michael Gracem Helmy'Kresa © Sanson-Mus;c Co.18Nov52 EU294479,Library of CongressCopyright Office
- ^ T rea, lelmy.MIDNIGHT IN NEW, YORK; w Sammy Gallopm Michael Grace &'Helmy Kresa ©Gabriel Records 7May53 EU315329IILibrary of CongressCopyright Office
- ^ - Kresa,. Helmy.LOVE WALTZ; w & m Michael P. Gracem .Helmy Kresa ©Gabriel Records8Jun53 EU324234Library of CongressCopyright Officer
- ^ Jtresa, Helmy.I'LL FOLLOW YOUR STAR; w' Michgel P.Grace m Helmy Kresa © Michael MusicCo., inc, 1Feb52 EU263187r1LLibrary of CongressCopyright Office
- ^ Knesa,_ Helmy.FOURTH MAN THEME; m Michael P. Grace& Helmy Kresa © Gabriel Records8Jun53 EU324235RILibrary of CongressCopyright Office
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