Across his five sonatas, Winterberg's compositional approach evolved from a modernist style of the 1920s and 30s, characterized by darkness and atonality, to a post-World War II language of clarity and tonal harmony.
Composer Biography
Hans Winterberg, born in Prague in 1901, experienced numerous changes in nationality throughout his life due to the tumultuous political landscape of Central Europe.
Notable Performances
It is believed that Winterberg's piano sonatas were not publicly performed during his lifetime, with Brigitte Helbig and Jonathan Powell giving the first public performances in recent years.
Composition History
Winterberg's five piano sonatas were composed in a relatively short period of fourteen years, between 1936 and 1950, with the middle three written during the difficult years of 1941, 1947, and 1948.
Recording & Production
This album presents the complete sonata cycle of Hans Winterberg for the first time, made possible by the Funk Foundation Hamburg.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Winterberg considered himself an autodidact and a 'mediator between cultures and times,' believing his music formed a bridge between Western and Eastern European cultures.
Performer Biography
Jonathan Powell, the pianist on this recording, is known for tackling highly virtuosic and demanding piano cycles, including works by Shostakovich, Messiaen, and Sorabji.
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