Search - Viktor Ullmann, Edith Kraus :: Viktor Ullmann: Klaviersonaten 1-4

Outstanding recording

Alan Rosenfelder | edgware, middlesex United Kingdom | 03/16/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"May i strongly recommend this c.d which is an outstanding recording for so many reasons. Firstly the piano playing is of the highest standard with a confidence , clarity and sheer virtuosity that seems to confound the fact that the pianist is 79 years old and plays with a vivacity that comes as a sheer delight to the listener.

Secondly the pianist knew the composer and shared the same experience of detention in Terezin in what is now the Czech republic during the second world war but unlike the composer lived to tell the tale and emigrated to Israel after the war.

Thirdly the c.d. acts as a testament to the historical experience of the times leading up to and including the early part of the second world war. The language of the music reflects the heartfelt trepidation of the composer as progressively more foreboding events occurr in the political world which find a reflection in sonatas 2, 3 and 4 which were all composed before his deportation to Terezin.Sonata number 1 is slightly harder to appreciate with it's homage to and influences of the 12 tone school of Schoenberg and the other avant garde composers.

Viktor Ullmann's music is now beginning to get the recognition it deserves with more recordings becoming available of a high standard. His music was forbidden by the Third Reich but certainly it is no longer forgotten and can take it's rightful place in the twentieth century reportory to be appreciated by many generations to come.

He composes with brevity and conciseness which still allow a complex musical language to unfold and unlike some twentieth century music the keen listener is hopefully not left behind but can follow his language.

All in all my best c.d. purchase in several years and very stongly recommended to all people who might be willing to explore this slightly off the beaten track but very rewarding genre of music."