Unsung Composers

The Music => Recordings & Broadcasts => Topic started by: Alan Howe on Tuesday 09 December 2014, 20:33

Title: Walter Niemann (1876-1953) Piano Sonatas etc.
Post by: Alan Howe on Tuesday 09 December 2014, 20:33
Fully romantic-sounding works on Grand Piano:
http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Grand%2BPiano/GP662#listen (http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Grand%2BPiano/GP662#listen)

More info on the composer here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Niemann_%28composer%29 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Niemann_%28composer%29)
Title: Re: Walter Niemann (1876-1953) Piano Sonatas etc.
Post by: Mark Thomas on Tuesday 09 December 2014, 22:23
These pieces sound right up my street I must say - definitely a New Year buy.
Title: Re: Walter Niemann (1876-1953) Piano Sonatas etc.
Post by: eschiss1 on Wednesday 10 December 2014, 13:43
I'd recommend too having a look at e.g. his scores @ IMSLP (mostly for piano, but a few for violin and piano and one or two for string orchestra etc.), but given his deathdate of 1949, that's an option only accessible to those in the US and Canada until 2020 or so.
Title: Re: Walter Niemann (1876-1953) Piano Sonatas etc.
Post by: Aramiarz on Thursday 11 December 2014, 05:53
Niemann is one very forgotten composer. This is the second Cd dedicated fully to him. Excellent notice!
Title: Re: Walter Niemann (1876-1953) Piano Sonatas etc.
Post by: Rob H on Thursday 11 December 2014, 09:52
The second? What is the first?
I am aware of the recording of his transcription of Tschaikovski's 6th Symphony (Propiano PPR224530). There is also Cord Garben's recording of his suite Hamburg op107 (on Pons Musica 0413) but this includes works by other composers. Individual pieces have appeared on Bis (Japan suite) and Propiano (Louisiana Suite op97) - probably others I have missed.
Pianophilia had downloads of some archive radio recordings as well (Der Orchidengarten, Sonata in Em, Bali op116).
Very much looking forward to this new disc - let's hope it's the first of a series...

Rob
Title: Re: Walter Niemann (1876-1953) Piano Sonatas etc.
Post by: Aramiarz on Thursday 11 December 2014, 11:07
In einem alten Patrizierhause" op. 162. Ein Zyklus nach Thomas Manns ,, Buddenbrooks". This Cd was available in JPC, but today is sold out!
Title: Re: Walter Niemann (1876-1953) Piano Sonatas etc.
Post by: Aramiarz on Thursday 11 December 2014, 11:08
But I found more cd's!
Please follow the next link!

http://www.romana-hamburg.de/Niemann.htm (http://www.romana-hamburg.de/Niemann.htm)
Title: Re: Walter Niemann (1876-1953) Piano Sonatas etc.
Post by: Alan Howe on Thursday 11 December 2014, 11:47
I think you'll find that these are all computer-generated performances.
Title: Re: Walter Niemann (1876-1953) Piano Sonatas etc.
Post by: Mark Thomas on Thursday 11 December 2014, 12:08
Indeed they are, but to be fair the piano-only tracks aren't too bad. It's the chamber and orchestral pieces which always sound so artificial.
Title: Re: Walter Niemann (1876-1953) Piano Sonatas etc.
Post by: Alan Howe on Thursday 11 December 2014, 17:00
True.
Title: Re: Walter Niemann (1876-1953) Piano Sonatas etc.
Post by: DennisS on Monday 22 December 2014, 22:12
Have just listened again to the sound bites of this forthcoming release. I am quite impressed by what I have been listening to, especially Sonata no 1! I have a particular soft spot for romantic piano music! Have already placed my pre-order!!
Title: Re: Walter Niemann (1876-1953) Piano Sonatas etc.
Post by: Rob H on Monday 22 December 2014, 22:38
Amongst the computer generated recordings in the romana-hamburg site is a disc of historical performances by Niemann himself.
Rob
Title: Re: Walter Niemann (1876-1953) Piano Sonatas etc.
Post by: DennisS on Monday 05 January 2015, 11:37
My copy of W. Niemann's piano music on Grand Piano has just arrived today - a nice New Year present! I will be listening to it in the next day or so and will of course report back to UC with my comments.
Title: Re: Walter Niemann (1876-1953) Piano Sonatas etc.
Post by: Aramiarz on Monday 05 January 2015, 23:24
Ok Dear Dennis! I ordered from USA, and will arrive maybe in one month more!!
Title: Re: Walter Niemann (1876-1953) Piano Sonatas etc.
Post by: Alan Howe on Monday 18 March 2019, 22:12
Finally (!) got around to purchasing the Grand Piano CD as it's on offer at jpc. It really is quite something: fully romantic piano music of real quality. So, if you have a sweet tooth...
Title: Re: Walter Niemann (1876-1953) Piano Sonatas etc.
Post by: FBerwald on Tuesday 19 March 2019, 03:38
From all the positive reviews here... I'll add this one to my list. His worklist mentions 3 Chamber Concertos for Piano & Small Orchestra. Anyone familiar with them?
Title: Re: Walter Niemann (1876-1953) Piano Sonatas etc.
Post by: Mark Thomas on Tuesday 19 March 2019, 08:38
Yes, the Niemann sonatas really are a pick-me-up when you need an infusion of gorgeous romanticism. But not every day, they really are an indulgence.
Title: Re: Walter Niemann (1876-1953) Piano Sonatas etc.
Post by: Alan Howe on Tuesday 19 March 2019, 11:58
Yes, that's spot-on, Mark.
Title: Re: Walter Niemann (1876-1953) Piano Sonatas etc.
Post by: FBerwald on Tuesday 19 March 2019, 17:34
I stumbled upon the Chamber Concertos no. 1 & 3 on youtube. I'm falling in love with this composer :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zjwpv_GFhH8 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zjwpv_GFhH8)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCS5OKgSJ74 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCS5OKgSJ74)