For Mieczysław Weinberg, the tone and forms of Yiddish and Moldovan folk music, as well as Gypsy music, formed the backbone of his post-war compositions.
Instruments
Franziska Pietsch plays a violin by Carlo Antonio Testore (Milan) from 1751, and Johannes Krebs plays a cello by the same maker from 1746.
Historical Context
The composers on this album, Mieczysław Weinberg, Krzysztof Penderecki, and Alfred Schnittke, all lived and worked on the eastern side of the Iron Curtain until 1989.
Composer Biography
Mieczysław Weinberg's parents and sisters were killed during World War II, while he fled via Minsk and Tashkent.
Composition History
Alfred Schnittke's String Trio was commissioned by the Alban Berg Foundation for the centenary of Berg's birthday.
Performer Biography
The Trio Lirico's violinist, Franziska Pietsch, and violist, Sophia Reuter, were close friends as children in East Berlin and share a personal history.
Composer Biography
Krzysztof Penderecki's family was deeply affected by World War II; one uncle was murdered in Katyn, and another was shot by the Germans in Warsaw.
