PENTATONE releases Thomas de Hartmann Rediscovered, together with Joshua Bell, INSO-Lviv Symphony Orchestra, Dalia Stasevska, Matt Haimovitz, MDR Leipzig Radio Symphony Orchestra & Dennis Russell Davies, in August 2024.
Bringing De Hartmann’s Glorious Music Back Into The Limelight
This album brings the glowing, cinematic Violin and Cello Concertos of Ukrainian composer Thomas de Hartmann, an important compositional voice in his own time, back into the limelight. Using an international all-star cast, the recording not only aims to re-establish de Hartmann’s oeuvre, but also to bring musicians together in times of war.
The Violin Concerto was recorded in Warsaw with Joshua Bell as soloist and Dalia Stasevska conducting the INSO-Lviv Symphony Orchestra, managing to temporarily leave their besieged country. The Cello Concerto is presented by Matt Haimovitz and the MDR Leipzig Radio Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Dennis Russell Davies. This album is made possible by the dedication and generous support of the Thomas de Hartmann Project, aimed to reintroduce his colourful and compelling music.
“I received the score for the De Hartmann Violin Concerto several years ago from Efrem Marder who has made it his mission to bring this composer’s music to today’s audiences. As I started exploring the concerto, I was immediately struck by the depth of emotion it conveys, and I was astonished that such a powerful work could have escaped me and most classical music listeners until now. This violin concerto is both heart-wrenching and uplifting, and is as gripping and relevant today as it was when it was composed in 1943.
I have been seeking the appropriate partners to help me bring this masterpiece to life, and I have found them in the Ukrainian based INSO-Lviv Orchestra and Dalia Stasevska, a conductor who has approached the work with the sincerity and gravitas that it deserves. Thanks to this project, I am hopeful that Thomas de Hartmann’s music may touch the hearts of many more people, both in his homeland of Ukraine and around the world.“
Joshua Bell
“When a country is fighting for its freedom, preserving and protecting the arts and culture that have defined its identity becomes vital. I feel privileged to be celebrating one of Ukraine’s greatest composers with the incredible musicians of the INSO-Lviv Orchestra and the unmatched artistry of Joshua Bell. It’s a great honor to produce the world-premiere recording of Thomas de Hartmann’s rich and empowering Violin Concerto to be shared with audiences across the globe. As the war rages on, we continue to keep Ukraine in our hearts.“
Dalia Stasevska
“I, like many, am horrified by the cycles of history. Once again we find ourselves in the midst of a tumultuous war in Europe, with Ukraine at the heart of an existential struggle. Ukrainian-born composer Thomas de Hartmann identified closely with his homeland, and, although not Jewish, since his youth, was deeply affected by Jewish music and culture. In the Cello Concerto Op. 57 (1935), Ukrainian folk idioms pervade the final movement and the prayerful second movement channels the voice of a Hazan, or Jewish cantor. Throughout his Cello Concerto, de Hartmann’s expansive melodies, progressive form, rich chromatic harmonies, and the virtuosic cello in colorful dialogue with the orchestra, transcend the stifling oppression of the 1930’s.
De Hartmann embraces the power of humanity to endure.
This noteworthy work is a Ukrainian treasure, a significant contribution to the cello works of its time. Deep gratitude goes out to my friend and colleague, Maestro Dennis Russell Davies, and the MDR Orchestra, for joining me in celebrating and bringing to the world the marginalized, majestic
Matt Haimovitz
de Hartmann Cello Concerto.“The Thomas de Hartmann Project (TdHP) was initiated in 2006 by pianist Elan Sicroff and Robert Fripp. Utilizing recordings, performances, writings, videos and lectures, TdHP aims to preserve and recover de Hartmann’s musical legacy and rightful place in the classical repertoire. To learn more, please visit
www.thomasdehartmannproject.com
Digital Release Date: 16 AUGUST 2024
Physical Release: AUGUST 2024
Released as a Standard CD and in digital formats for streaming and high-resolution downloads
