Bela Hartmann
LETTERS IN THE WIND for piano
Goodmusic GM488
Three Poetic Pieces for piano for advanced players.
These three piano pieces were all inspired by words, or to be more precise, by the emotional states conjured up by words. They are not intended as musical replicas of existing poems, rather as reflexions on certain states of being implied by specific phrases or texts.
The first, Zart bewegt [Tenderly Moving], refers to a performance indication used by Brahms, Webern, Reger and others to request an atmosphere of tenderness and gentle movement, perhaps with a touch of intimacy, even secrecy. As in English, the German word "bewegt" [moved] can refer both to a state of movement and to an emotional response, thereby giving the phrase a certain ambiguity.
The second piece, Tanzende Tränen [Dancing Tears], was inspired by a poem by Rilke, in which the author describes a state of sadness that is nevertheless alive and creative, a sense of longing that is expressed in beauty and light, modest in scope but deep and intense in its expression.
The final piece, Berauscht [Intoxicated] was inspired by a text drawn from the writings of the Persian poet Rumi which conjures up the intoxication, obsession and ecstasy of love and all its insatiable insanity. It is the opposite of sickly, unhappy love and celebrates carefree elation, the fire that knows no fear nor regret.
Bela Hartmann
The recording on YouTube is a performance by Bela Hartmann.
Duration c.11 minutes
These three piano pieces were all inspired by words, or to be more precise, by the emotional states conjured up by words. They are not intended as musical replicas of existing poems, rather as reflexions on certain states of being implied by specific phrases or texts.
The first, Zart bewegt [Tenderly Moving], refers to a performance indication used by Brahms, Webern, Reger and others to request an atmosphere of tenderness and gentle movement, perhaps with a touch of intimacy, even secrecy. As in English, the German word "bewegt" [moved] can refer both to a state of movement and to an emotional response, thereby giving the phrase a certain ambiguity.
The second piece, Tanzende Tränen [Dancing Tears], was inspired by a poem by Rilke, in which the author describes a state of sadness that is nevertheless alive and creative, a sense of longing that is expressed in beauty and light, modest in scope but deep and intense in its expression.
The final piece, Berauscht [Intoxicated] was inspired by a text drawn from the writings of the Persian poet Rumi which conjures up the intoxication, obsession and ecstasy of love and all its insatiable insanity. It is the opposite of sickly, unhappy love and celebrates carefree elation, the fire that knows no fear nor regret.
Bela Hartmann
The recording on YouTube is a performance by Bela Hartmann.
Duration c.11 minutes
