Walter Niemann (1876-1953): Aus einem alten Patrizierhause, a cycle after Thomas Mann’s “Buddenbrooks”, op. 121
1. “Dominus providebit” (Intrada)
2. In the Garden (Bucolica)
3. Children’s Dance (In English folk style)
4. An old piece for the Flute (Loure)
5. The Blue Hall (Sarabande)
6. A charming Sonnet
7. The Yellow Room (Idyll)
8. The speedy Conveyance
9. The End (Funeral Music)

John Kersey, piano

Introductory Remarks: Thomas Mann’s novel, “The Buddenbrooks”, with its portrayal of the old home in Luebeck with its gigantic entrance-hall is a symbol of this prosperous time and truly reflects German Hanseatic Culture of the 19th century. The composer has been primarily concerned with the music as a glorification of this age and not, as might be supposed, with any literary or reflection of the same. He has endeavoured to express in music the characteristic atmosphere and sentiments of this period and to depict or paint a soundpicture of this old civilian caste, whose relations with foreigners were always of such a friendly nature. In common with the “Hamburg” (op. 107) cycle of pieces and the “Phantasies of the Bremen Ratskeller” (op. 113) this work can be said to conclude a volume in three parts suggesting a “Hanseatic Triptychon” for Pianoforte.

Released on CD by Romantic Discoveries Recordings (www.pianocds.com).

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