Walter Niemann: Piano Music, Volume One
The largest part of the output of the Hamburg-born composer and writer Walter Niemann (1876–1973), a student of both Humperdinck and Reinecke, is piano music: an astonishing 1,000 or so pieces, divided into 189 opus numbers. Most of them are lyrical miniatures in a warm and approachable late-Romantic style, some evoking the music of the past. Occasionally, though, as in Hamburg, a recollection of scenes from his childhood, a degree of mild dissonance indicates his desire to stay true to his memories of growing up in a port city.
Tomasz Kamieniak, piano
Listen To This Recording:
Der Artushof: Suite aus Alt-Danzig, Op. 158 (1941) (12:47)
- I. Präludium (2:39)
- II. Sarabande (5:00)
- III. Menuett (3:17)
- IV. Alla Giga (1:51)
Jura-Sommer: Kleine Impressionen, Op. 119 (1929)* (19:49)
- I. Mühle im Tal (1:14)
- II. Alte Eibe (2:28)
- III. Bauer Schmetterling (1:14)
- IV. Kristallhöhle (2:17)
- V. Wilde Orchidee (2:25)
- VI. Burgruine (3:35)
- VII. Dork auf dem Berge (1:22)
- VIII. Angelus: Wallfahrtskirche (3:35)
- IX. Forelle (1:39)
Bunte Blumen: Sieben Klavierstücke, Op. 139 (publ. 1934)* (11:23)
- I. Weisse Stiefmütterchen (1:10)
- II. Gelbe Iris (1:52)
- III. Rotweisse Fuchsien (1:48)
- IV. Lila Petunien (1:24)
- V. Mattblaue Glyzinien (2:07)
- VI. Kupferfarbene Levkojen (1:27)
- VII. Dunkelrote Rosen (1:35)
Hamburg: Ein Zyklus von 13 Charakterstücken, Op. 107 (publ. 1926) (32:28)
- I. Hafen: Die Werft-Hämmer (2:02)
- II. Spuk: Nacht am Fleet (3:29)
- III. Elternhaus: Es war einmal (3:04)
- IV. Disput: Die drei Börsenmakler (1:21)
- V. Matrosen: Norweger beim Ankerlichten (2:44)
- VI. A.D. 1600: Die Pavane des Herrn Senators (1:36)
- VII. Brahms: Geburtshaus (4:09)
- VIII. Alter Michel: Michaels-Kirche (2:40)
- IX. Drehorgel: Eine verstimmte Groteske (1:30)
- X. Laterne!: Kinderreigen (2:06)
- XI. St. Pauli: Tango (2:22)
- XII. Mondnacht: Alster (3:26)
- XIII. Hymnus: Ausblick (1:59)
*First Recording
Jorge Suárez :
Correction:
Walter Rudolph Niemann (10 October 1876, Hamburg – 17 June 1953, Leipzig)
Excellent recording of this new series
Fanfare Magazine :
‘listeners with a taste for the 19th-century piano literature will find nothing to object to here. What they will find is a good deal of attractive and imaginative music that does not merit its almost complete obscurity. […]
The 33 brief pieces collected here are all attractive and varied enough in mood and color to hold the listener’s interest. […]. Polish pianist Tomasz Kamieniak plays with plenty of spirit and imagination. […]
This delightful release will appeal to anyone who enjoys exploring the byways of the Romantic piano literature.’
—Henry Fogel, Fanfare Magazine, July/Aug 2024
Fanfare Magazine :
‘Niemann does not deserve the obscurity into which he has descended, and this disc ought to help gain him an appreciative audience. Pianist Tomassz Kamieniak does a most creditable job in bringing these works to life. […] William Melton’s superb notes are up to the usual high standard one has come to expect from Toccata. In short, solidly recommended.’
—David DeBoor Canfield, Fanfare Magazine, Sept/Oct 2024
Drew Perlman :
Lovely new recording of this composer and really comprehensive research and notes about the music. It says Volume One, so I hope further volumes will be released as well by the pianist.