Thomas de Hartmann Rediscovered

Discover the enchanting world of Thomas de Hartmann with this captivating album, "Thomas de Hartmann Rediscovered," released on August 16, 2024, by Pentatone. This album showcases the late Ukrainian Romantic composer's Violin and Cello Concertos, performed by renowned artists Joshua Bell on violin and Matt Haimovitz on cello, accompanied by the INSO-Lviv Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Dalia Stasevska.

Thomas de Hartmann, born in 1884 and passing away in 1956, is a composer whose music is finally gaining the recognition it deserves, nearly seven decades after his death. This album features two of his most remarkable concertos: the Violin Concerto, Op. 66, and the Cello Concerto, Op. 57. Each concerto is a masterclass in orchestration and composition, blending romanticism with a unique, cinematic quality that sets de Hartmann's work apart.

The Violin Concerto, Op. 66, is a four-movement piece that begins with a Largo-Allegro, followed by an Andante, a Menuet fantasque, and concludes with a lively Finale. The Cello Concerto, Op. 57, is a three-movement work starting with an Allegro con brio, moving into a solemn Andante, and culminating in a spirited Finale. Both concertos are performed with exquisite precision and passion, bringing de Hartmann's compositions to life in a way that is both moving and inspiring.

With a total duration of 1 hour and 6 minutes, this album is a testament to de Hartmann's enduring legacy and a delight for classical music enthusiasts. The performances by Joshua Bell, Matt Haimovitz, and the INSO-Lviv Symphony Orchestra, led by Dalia Stasevska, are nothing short of outstanding, capturing the essence of de Hartmann's music and presenting it in a way that is both accessible and profound.

Thomas de Hartmann, born in Ukraine in 1885, was a prolific composer and pianist whose music is only now gaining the recognition it deserves. A student of renowned composers Anton Arensky and Sergei Taneyev, de Hartmann's early fame was rooted in Russia, where he composed a diverse range of works including four symphonies, several operas, concertos, sonatas, and songs set to texts by literary giants like Marcel Proust and Paul Verlaine. His compositions, which span various genres, reflect his deep musical knowledge and artistic versatility. Despite his significant contributions, de Hartmann's music remained largely undiscovered for decades. Today, efforts by dedicated volunteers through The Thomas de Hartmann Project are bringing his rich musical legacy to light, inviting listeners to explore the profound and evocative works of this Ukrainian-born maestro.