Emil Hartmann (1836-1898) had a heavy family heritage to lift, being the son of one of the true greats in Danish music life, the composer and organist J.P.E. Hartmann. In Denmark, Emil Hartmann had difficulty freeing himself from his father’s shadow, but in Germany, things were easier. On this release, Elisabeth Zeuthen Schneider and friends delve into his chamber musical key works, providing the perfect showcase for the romantic flair of Emil Hartmann, making his lines sing beautifully and virtuosic passages dance, and finding intimacy and eloquence at telling moments.

Emil Hartmann’s music is moving forward with a youthful energy seeking release, but also – like almost all music of that time – profoundly influenced by the genius of Mendelssohn and Schumann. With Hartmann, this influence is enhanced by his simplicity and sincerity.

Emil Hartmann’s life and work were very much anchored in Copenhagen, where he was an organist. From the 1860s onwards, though, he had an increasing number of his works performed in Germany, particularly in Berlin.

Hartmann left behind him a considerable production: no fewer than three operas, several ballad operas, ballet music, theatrical music and various orchestral works, not to mention chamber music and piano works as well as romances and hymn tunes.

Chamber music is quite extensively represented in Hartmann’s production. Many of the works have not been published, and most of them have slept a long, enchanted sleep in the Music Collection at the Royal Danish Library. This release thus consists of pure World premiere recordings.

Danish Violinist Elisabeth Zeuthen Schneider has initiated the project of reviving and recording Emil Harmann’s chamber music, and her personal reflections can be read in the booklet. For the recordings she has gathered some of the best German and Belgian musicians.