This album brings the glowing, cinematic Violin and Cello Concertos of Ukrainian com-poser Thomas de Hartmann, an important compositional voice in his own time, back...

This album brings the glowing, cinematic Violin and Cello Concertos of Ukrainian com-poser 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 colorful and compelling music.

REVIEW:

There is a remarkable line-up of artists for this album with the violin and cello concertos by Ukrainian composer Thomas de Hartmann (1884-1956), who was highly regarded during his lifetime and had a successful career in France. After his death (in the USA), his music fell into oblivion and has only recently been revived. Apart from private releases on LP by the composer’s wife, these are the first recordings of the two concertos.

It is incredible that such a magnificent work has not been played for decades. It is a masterpiece, incredibly original and gripping from the first to the last note. It may be that a number of hitherto little-known works that are recorded today do not necessarily belong in the standard repertoire, but this one is of such quality that it should stand on an equal footing with many other important concertos of the 20th century.

— Pizzicato