Born in Ratibor, Upper Silesia (now Racibórz, Slaskie, Poland), Ogerman began his career with the piano. He is one of the most prolific 20th century arrangers and has worked in the Top 40, Rock, Pop, Jazz, R&B, Soul, Easy listening, Broadway and Classical music fields. The exact number of recording artists for whom Ogerman has either arranged or conducted during his career has still not yet been determined.
In the 1950s, Ogerman worked in Germany as an arranger-pianist with Kurt Edelhagen, Max Greger, and Delle Haensch. Claus (then Klaus) also worked as a part-time vocalist and recorded several 45 rpms under the pen name of "Tom Collins", duetting with Hannelore Cremer - and he also recorded a solo vocal with the Delle Haensch Jump Combo as well. In 1959, he moved to the United States and joined the producer Creed Taylor at Verve Records, working on recordings with Antonio Carlos Jobim, Bill Evans, Wes Montgomery, Kai Winding and Cal Tjader - among countless others. Verve was sold to MGM in 1963. Claus Ogerman, by his own admission in Gene Lees' Jazzletter publication, arranged some 60-70 albums for Verve under Creed Taylor's direction from 1963-1967. During this time he also arranged a large number of pop hits, e.g. in 1961 "Cry To Me" by Solomon Burke, including also those of Lesley Gore. In 1966 Ogerman arranged and conducted Bill Evans Trio with Symphony Orchestra (Verve Records). In 1967 he joined Creed Taylor on the A&M/CTi label.
Claus Ogerman charted under his own name in 1965. The RCA single "Watusi Trumpets" reached #130 in the Music Vendor charts.
Ogerman arranged and conducted Diana Krall's 2001 album The Look of Love, and conducted on her DVD "Live in Paris". He also served as arranger and conductor for Krall's 2009 album Quiet Nights. He won the 2010 Grammy Award for "Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s)" for "Quiet Nights."
Ogerman also arranged and conducted the orchestra on George Benson's 1976 album, Breezin', as well as on two other Benson albums.
Among Ogerman's most remarkable albums there are: Gate Of Dreams (WB 1977), from the music of the ballet Some Times; Cityscape with Michael Brecker (1982 Warner-Pioneer); Claus Ogerman Featuring Michael Brecker (GRP 1991). All include original compositions centered on the juxtaposition of jazz instruments and rhythm sections with classical music orchestra.
Ogerman has devoted himself almost exclusively to composing since the 1970s, his commissions including a ballet score for the American Ballet Theatre, Some Times, a work for jazz piano and orchestra Symbiosis for Bill Evans, a work for saxophone and orchestra Cityscape, for Michael Brecker, a song cycle Tagore-Lieder after poems by Rabindranath Tagore that was recorded by Judith Blegen and Brigitte Fassbaender, a Concerto for violin and orchestra, Lirico and a Sarabande-Fantasie for violin and orchestra recorded by Aaron Rosand, 10 Songs for Chorus A-Capella After Poems by Georg Heym that was recorded by the Cologne Radio Chorus, a work for violin and orchestra Preludio and Chant recorded by Gidon Kremer. His works for violin and piano were recorded on a 2007 disc by the Chinese violinist Yue Deng and French pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet. In July 2008, Ogerman released an album of compositions with jazz pianist Danilo Perez entitled Across The Crystal Sea.
Ogerman's major influences as a composer remain Max Reger and Alexander Scriabin. He steadfastly maintains that he is not primarily concerned with "modernism" per se stating that his goal is to evoke an emotional response in the listener.
Ogerman arranged and conducted Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim (1967), the first of two recordings that Frank Sinatra made with Jobim. Ogerman also arranged and conducted Jobim's The Composer of Desafinado, Plays (1963), A Certain Mr. Jobim (1967), Wave (1967), Jobim (1972), Urubu (1976) and Terra Brasilis (1980), on which he also played the piano. On the Jobim and Urubu albums, Ogerman was also the producer.
Claus Ogerman died on 8 March, 2016 in Munich, Germany.
Filmography as composer
Looking For Love (1964)
The Bellboy and the Playgirls (1962)
Ein Sommer, den man nie vergißt (1959)
$100 a Night (1959)
Mit Eva fing die Sünde an (1958)
Rivalen der Manege (1958)
Seine Hoheit war ein Mädchen (1958)
Die Prinzessin von St. Wolfgang (1957)
Die Unschuld vom Lande (1957)
Ich war ihm hörig (1957)
Liebe, wie die Frau sie wünscht (1957)
Eine Verrückte Familie (1957)
Weißer Holunder (1957)
Discography
Music From The Roaring 20's (United Artists, 1961)
Jeder Singt Mit! (United Artists, 1962) – as Klaus Ogermann
Soul Searchin' (RCA Victor, 1965)
Watusi Trumpets (RCA Victor, 1965)
Saxes Mexicanos (RCA Victor, 1966)
Latin Rock (RCA Victor, 1967)
Gate of Dreams (Warner Bros., 1977)
Aranjuez (CBS, 1978) with Jan Akkerman
Cityscape (Warner Bros., 1982)
Preludio & Chant, Elegia, Symphonic Dances (EMI, 1982) with Gidon Kremer and the London Symphony Orchestra
Claus Ogerman featuring Michael Brecker (GRP, 1991) with Michael Brecker
Symphonic Dances / Some Times (Ballet) (Bay City, 1992) with the New York Studio Symphony Orchestra
Lyrical Works (EMI, 1997)
Two Concertos (Decca, 2001)
Compilations
The Man Behind The Music (Boutique, 2002) - 4CD featuring various artists
as arranger/conductor
With George Benson
Breezin' (Warner Bros., 1976)
In Flight (Warner Bros., 1977)
Livin' Inside Your Love (Warner Bros., 1979)
With Solomon Burke
"Cry to Me" (Atlantic, 1962)
With Donald Byrd
Up with Donald Byrd (Verve, 1965)
With Betty Carter
'Round Midnight (Atco, 1963)
With Sammy Davis Jr.
The Nat King Cole Songbook (Reprise, 1965)
Sammy's Back on Broadway (Reprise, 1965)
With Bill Evans
Plays the Theme from The V.I.P.s and Other Great Songs (MGM, 1963)
Bill Evans Trio with Symphony Orchestra (Verve, 1965)
Symbiosis (MPS, 1974) - composed by Ogerman
With Connie Francis
"In the Summer of His Years" (MGM, 1963)
Connie Francis Sings Bacharach & David (MGM, 1968 - and producer)
With Michael Franks
Sleeping Gypsy (Warner Bros., 1977)
With Stan Getz
Reflections (Verve, 1963)
Voices (Verve, 1967)
What the World Needs Now: Stan Getz Plays Burt Bacharach and Hal David (Verve, 1968)
With Astrud Gilberto
The Shadow of Your Smile (Verve, 1965)
With João Gilberto
Amoroso (Warner Bros., 1977)
With João Donato
The New Sound of Brazil: Piano of João Donato (RCA Victor, 1965)
With Lesley Gore
I'll Cry If I Want To (Mercury, 1963)
"Maybe I Know" (Mercury, 1964)
"Look of Love" (Mercury, 1964)
With Stephane Grappelli
Uptown Dance (CBS, 1978)
With Al Hirt
That Honey Horn Sound (RCA Victor, 1965)
With Billie Holiday
Lady in Satin (Colombia, 1958)
With Johnny Hodges
Sandy's Gone (Verve, 1963)
With Freddie Hubbard
The Love Connection (Columbia, 1979) - and producer
With Willis Jackson
'Gator Tails (Verve, 1964)
With Antônio Carlos Jobim
The Composer of Desafinado Plays (Verve, 1963)
A Certain Mr. Jobim (Warner Bros., 1967)
Wave (A&M, 1967))
Jobim (MCA, 1973) - and producer
Urubu (Warner Bros., 1976) - and producer
Terra Brasilis (Warner Bros., 1980) - and piano
With Dr. John
City Lights (Horizon, 1978)
With Wynton Kelly
Comin' in the Back Door (Verve, 1963)
With Ben E. King
Ben E. King Sings for Soulful Lovers (Atco, 1962)
Don't Play That Song! (Atco, 1962)
With Diana Krall
The Look of Love (Verve, 2001)
Quiet Nights (Verve, 2009)
With Wes Montgomery
Tequila (Verve, 1966)
Willow Weep for Me (Verve, 1969)
With Oscar Peterson
Motions and Emotions (MPS, 1969) - and producer
With Frank Sinatra
Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim (Reprise, 1967) with Antônio Carlos Jobim
The World We Knew (Reprise, 1967)
With Jimmy Smith
Any Number Can Win (Verve, 1963)
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (Verve, 1964)
With Barbra Streisand
Stoney End (Columbia, 1971)
Classical Barbra (Columbia, 1973/1976) - conductor and producer
With Cal Tjader
Warm Wave (Verve, 1964)
With Mel Tormé
"Comin' Home Baby" (Atlantic, 1962)
With Stanley Turrentine
Nightwings (Fantasy, 1977)
West Side Highway (Fantasy, 1978)
With Kai Winding
Soul Surfin' (Verve, 1963)
Kai Winding (Verve, 1963)
Mondo Cane #2 (Verve, 1964)
I Loved You
Claus Ogerman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Whenever the winter winds become too strong
I concentrate on you
When fortune cries "Nay, nay" to me
And people declare "You're through"
Whenever the blues become my only songs
I concentrate on you
On your smile, so sweet, so tender
When at first my kiss you do decline
On the light in your eyes when you surrender
And once again our arms intertwine
And so when wise men say to me
That love's young dream never comes true
To prove that even the wise men can be wrong
I concentrate on you
The lyrics of Claus Ogerman’s song “I Concentrate on You” convey the idea of finding comfort and solace in a significant other during challenging times. The song begins by suggesting that when the sky is gray and problems emerge, the singer focuses on their partner. In the same way, when life deals them an unfavorable hand and others suggest that they are defeated, the singer relies on their significant other to help them through these difficult moments.
The second stanza illustrates the power of the partner’s love and attention. The singer focuses on their lover’s smile, eyes, and surrender to their advances. This helps them to forget about their situation and focus on something positive. The lyrics suggest that such moments of connection and affection serve as a reminder that love can conquer all.
The final stanza shows the singer’s determination to prove that love can overcome even the most pessimistic naysayers. They concentrate on their partner rather than the negative voices in their life, even when the wise men suggest that love never lasts. The lyrics suggest that by focusing on love, one can prove cynics wrong and find eternal happiness.
Overall, “I Concentrate on You” communicates the idea that love is a powerful force that can help individuals overcome challenges and sorrow.
Line by Line Meaning
Whenever skies look gray to me and trouble begins to brew
Whenever I feel sad or upset and problems start to arise
Whenever the winter winds become too strong
Whenever I feel overwhelmed and stressed
I concentrate on you
I focus my mind on you and my love for you to ease my troubles and calm my mind
When fortune cries "Nay, nay" to me
When I experience bad luck or misfortune
And people declare "You're through"
When others doubt me or tell me I cannot succeed
Whenever the blues become my only songs
When I feel sad or alone and cannot escape my negative thoughts
On your smile, so sweet, so tender
I find comfort and joy in your gentle smile
When at first my kiss you do decline
Even when you initially reject my advances
On the light in your eyes when you surrender
I find happiness and hope in the love and affection you show when you let go and give in to my advances
And once again our arms intertwine
When we embrace and hold each other close
And so when wise men say to me
Despite what knowledgeable individuals may say
That love's young dream never comes true
That true love and happiness cannot be achieved
To prove that even the wise men can be wrong
I concentrate on you to prove them wrong and show that love can conquer all
I concentrate on you
I turn to thoughts of you and our love to overcome challenges and find peace
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, O/B/O DistroKid, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cole Porter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
mark kiryluk
My son is gone forever but my love for him will never end. Thank you for posting this beautiful song in which to remember him.
Paul Ancheta
Claus Ogerman wrote this sublimely beautiful piece in 1973. Barbra Streisand introduced it on her 1976 "Classical Barbra" album, and The Singers Unlimited covered it in their 1978 "Eventide" album. Great voices interpreting a superlative work.
Noe Berengena
+Paul -- yes, yes. I know those two versions well. And now this one by Marilyn Schmeige. Each one quite beautiful.
doc2skate
This lyrical works very fine. Didn't know Claus Ogerman had other albums. Looks like I'll be in listening heaven for a while. Fabulous post.
Bob Bennert
thank you Paul. That is interesting information. This is the first time I have heard this version. Barbara's version i will always love.
grace kennings
sublime. full stop. thank you for the vocal beauty representing the brilliance of mr. ogerman's virtuosity...
Tomas Massai
soothing healing power..thankz
yuehchopin
sehr sehr wertvolle Sendung, danke!
Primavera Produções Hilton Barcelos
Wonderful!
batinightcap
awesome