Hans WINTERBERG: Piano Music, Volume One
The tale of Hans Winterberg (1901–91) is a strange one. A survivor of the Terezín concentration camp, where he had been interned as a Czech Jew, he settled in Munich after the Second World War as a German citizen, and his music enjoyed a number of broadcasts – but with his death his estate disappeared into a legal limbo, emerging only in 2015. This first album of his piano music reveals an unusual and individual voice, an idiosyncratic blend of Janáček, Ravel, Schoenberg and other mid-twentieth-century masters, animated by a hard-edged, freewheeling energy and grim humour reminiscent of his close contemporary, Nikos Skalkottas.
Brigitte Helbig, piano
Listen To This Recording:
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Sonata II (1941)
- I Agitato
- II Andante sostenuto
- III Molto vivace
- No. 1 Breit
- No. 2 Leicht, flüchtig
- No. 3 Sehr langsam, verträumt
- No. 4 Wild, heftig
- I Präludium
- II Intermezzo
- III Postludium
- I Vorspiel
- II Passacaglia
- III Marsch
- IV Bucolica
- V Toccata
- No. 1 Sehr schnell, leicht fliessend
- No. 2 Malinconia, molto moderato
- No. 3 Sehr bewegt
- No. 4 Vivacissimo
- No. 5 Impetuoso
- No. 6 Molto movimento
- No. 7 Molto vivace, alla toccata
Four Intermezzi (1929)
Suite Theresienstadt (1945)*
Suite for Piano (1955)
Seven Neo-Impressionist Pieces in Twelve-Tone (1973)
ALL EXCEPT * FIRST RECORDINGS
Art Music Lounge :
‘Having already reviewed and enjoyed Hans Winterberg’s chamber works, I felt the need to hear his piano music. And thank goodness, not only is the music good but so is the pianist. Brigitte Helbig is not one of these drippy Romantic musicians who turn Villa-Lobos, for instance, into Chopin. She plays with fire and a strong attack, which suits Winterberg’s scores just fine. […]
Once again, [in Intermezzi]Helbig plays this music with great insight to its structure as well as the proper touch. […]
With the exception of the Suite Theresienstadt, all of these works receive their first recordings here. I must applaud Brigitte Helbig for her brilliant and often exciting interpretations as well as Toccata Classics for having the foresight to release this disc. Bravos all around!’
—Lynn René Bayley, Art Music Lounge
MusicWeb International :
‘Helbig is nothing short of superb and the excitement and pizzazz she brings is breathtaking. […]
The complexities surrounding the composer’s life, context and detailed analysis of the music are expertly laid out in Michael Haas’ exceptionally fine and scholarly accompanying annotations. There are two photographic reproductions of the composer’s handwritten scores. [Brigitte Helbig is] served with a first-rate recording.
Apart from the Suite Theresienstadt, these compelling piano scores are here receiving their premiere recordings.’
—Stephen Greenbank, MusicWeb International