Frederick Loewe
About
Biography
Filmography
Family & Companions
Notes
"I was always amazed how good we were and how simple it was." --Frederick Loewe's message which was read at the memorial tribute to Alan Jay Lerner in 1986.
He was awarded the Hollander Medal (1923).
Biography
German-born composer of Viennese ancestry and musical sensibility, who, after a concert career as a European piano prodigy, arrived in New York in 1924 and supported himself in a variety of odd jobs before breaking into Broadway songwriting in 1935. A chance encounter with Alan Jay Lerner in 1942 marked the beginning of a long and fruitful collaboration that brought a romantic lyricism and sophisticated polish to the post-war American musical and resulted in a string of elegant, literate Broadway hits: "Brigadoon" (1947), "Paint Your Wagon" (1951), "My Fair Lady" (1955) and "Camelot" (1960) all of which were adapted to film by Lerner.
In 1958 Lerner and Loewe wrote their first original screen musical, the nine Oscar-winner, "Gigi," and in 1974 collaborated on one last original film musical, "The Little Prince" before Loewe's final retirement.
Filmography
Music (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Writer (Special)
Music (Special)
Special Thanks (Special)
Life Events
1914
At 13 became youngest piano soloist to appear with the Berlin Symphony Orchestra
1917
Wrote the music for "Katrina", a popular hit song in Europe at age 15
1924
Moved to the US; performed a Town Hall and the Rivoli Theatre; failed to achieve success because of tenuous command of English language and fact his musical sensibility was not "American" enough
1935
Joined Lambs Club in NY and sold first song to Broadway: "Love Tiptoed Through My Heart", sung by Dennis King in "Petticoat Fever"
1937
Wrote first full score, "Salute to Spring" for summer pageant at the Municipal Opera, St Louis
1938
Composed first Broadway score, "Great Lady" (with lyrics by Earle Crooker), which ran only 20 performances
1942
Met Alan Jay Lerner at the Lambs Club; first collaboration "Life of the Party" which debuted in Detroit, MI
1943
Collaborated on first Broadway show with Lerner, "What's Up?"
1947
Wrote first hit Broadway musical with Lerner, "Brigadoon"
1958
Suffered a massive heart attack before the London opening of "My Fair Lady"
1958
Collaborated with Lerner on first original movie score, "Gigi"
1960
Produced first Broadway musical, "Camelot" (also composed score)
1960
Entered semi-retirement after Broadway production of "Camelot"
1973
Reuinted with Lerner to write four new songs for a Broadway stage production of "Gigi"
1974
Wrote final score for the film musical, "The Little Prince"
Videos
Movie Clip
![](https://prod-images.tcm.com/v5cache/TCM/Images/Dynamic/i490/gigi58_nighttheyinventedchampagne_test_FC_224x104_021220191125.jpg?w=400)
![](https://prod-images.tcm.com/v5cache/TCM/Images/Dynamic/i490/southpacific_imgonnawashthamanrightouttamyhair_FC_470x264_021220190541.jpg?w=400)
![](https://prod-images.tcm.com/v5cache/TCM/Images/Dynamic/i389/gigi58_theparisians_FC_470x264_020220160816.jpg?w=400)
![](https://prod-images.tcm.com/v5cache/TCM/Images/Dynamic/i389/gigi58_thankheavenforlittlegirls_FC_470x264_020120160611.jpg?w=400)
![](https://prod-images.tcm.com/v5cache/TCM/Images/Dynamic/i451/myfairlady_wouldntitbeloverly_FC_470x264_091320170720.jpg?w=400)
![](https://prod-images.tcm.com/v5cache/TCM/Images/Dynamic/i451/myfairlady_openingoverture_FC_470x264_091320170720.jpg?w=400)
![](https://prod-images.tcm.com/v5cache/TCM/Images/Dynamic/i451/myfairlady_theraininspain_FC_470x264_091320170720.jpg?w=400)
![](https://prod-images.tcm.com/v5cache/TCM/Images/Dynamic/i400/camelot67_cestmoi_FC__470x264_041420160724.jpg?w=400)
![](https://prod-images.tcm.com/v5cache/TCM/Images/Dynamic/i400/camelot67_thelustymonthofmay_FC__470x264_041420160724.jpg?w=400)
![](https://prod-images.tcm.com/v5cache/TCM/Images/Dynamic/i400/camelot67_howibecameking_FC__470x264_041420160726.jpg?w=400)
![](https://prod-images.tcm.com/v5cache/TCM/Images/Dynamic/i400/camelot67_howtohandleawoman_FC__470x264_041420160726.jpg?w=400)
![](https://prod-images.tcm.com/v5cache/TCM/Images/Dynamic/i389/gigi58_sheisnotthinkingofme_FC_470x264_020120160611.jpg?w=400)
Trailer
![](https://prod-images.tcm.com/v5cache/TCM/Images/Dynamic/i305/gigi_tr_223x104_111520131125.jpg?w=400)
![](https://prod-images.tcm.com/v5cache/TCM/Images/Dynamic/i245/paintyourwagon_tcmtr_flash_dl_tmb0021_tr_223x104_10232013064132.jpg?w=400)
![](https://prod-images.tcm.com/v5cache/TCM/Images/Dynamic/i245/brigadoon_tcm_tmb0106_tr_223x104_10232013064121.jpg?w=400)
Family
Companions
![](https://prod-images.tcm.com//img/global/logo-AFI.png)
Bibliography
Notes
"I was always amazed how good we were and how simple it was." --Frederick Loewe's message which was read at the memorial tribute to Alan Jay Lerner in 1986.
He was awarded the Hollander Medal (1923).
Awarded honorary doctorate in music from the University of Redlands and a D.F.Aa. from NYU.