David Robert Coleman, the conductor, has had his compositions commissioned and played by international orchestras such as the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal and the Berliner Philharmoniker.
Composer Biography
Günter Kochan, one of the featured composers, was awarded the National Prize of the GDR on four occasions and also received prizes in the United States and Eastern Europe.
Recording & Production
This album features world premiere recordings of the works by Gisbert Näther and Siegfried Matthus.
Composition History
Gisbert Näther's Concerto for Flute and Orchestra was inspired by the soloist on this album, Claudia Stein, who approached him about writing a work for her instrument.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Günter Kochan's extensive musical output is situated between Socialist Realism and the European avant-garde, with some seeing him as an East German equivalent to Karl Amadeus Hartmann due to the humanism in his music.
Performer Biography
Claudia Stein, the flutist on this album, was appointed principal flute of the Staatskapelle Berlin by Daniel Barenboim at the age of 23.
Historical Context
This album features flute concertos by composers from the former East Germany, a country that existed for 41 years.
