A new CD recording has been issued by Romantic Discoveries Recordings.

Piano Music of Walter Niemann volume 21
Introduction and Toccata, op. 106 • Hermitage, op. 140 • Sevillana, op. 63 • Romantic Suite, op. 189 • A Day at Schloss Dürande, op. 62 • Five Little Poesies, op. 11 (includes first recordings)
John Kersey, piano
RDR CD131

Total time: 72 minutes

1. Introduction and Toccata, op. 106 (5:34)

2. Eremitage – little pictures from an old park, op. 140 (15:40)
i. Menuett on the Nature-Theatre ii. Leda with the Swan iii. Little Chinese Temple iv. Little Mosque v. Rococo Pavilion vi. Gate of the Sphinx vii. Marble Fountain viii. Before a pillared bust of the young Beethoven ix. Ancient Temple Ruins

3. Sevillana, Spanish airs for piano, op. 63 (12:26)
i. Romanza ii. Mandolinata iii. Boléro iv. Serenata

4. Romantische Suite after words by Alexander Pushkin, op. 189 (10:20)
i. On the Volga – Barkarole ii. Ballet in the Garden – Gavotte iii. Horn Music – Alla Caccia iv. Fireworks Music – Folk Dance

5. Ein Tag auf Schloss Dürande, Romantic novel in six chapters after words by Eichendorff, op. 62 (15:22)
i. The Castle on the Mountain (Heroic Präludium) ii. Sarabande iii. Midday Silence in the Castle Park iv. At the Forest Spring (Idyll after the Hunt) v. Foreign Bagpiper (Burleske) vi. Gallant Entertainment (Gigue)

6. Fünf kleine Poesien, op. 11 (12:25)
i. Capriccietto ii. Mazurka iii. Little Waltz iv. Rococo (Menuetto scherzando) v. Arietta

Our thanks go to Nicolo Figowy and Steffen Herrmann for their generous loan of scores.

Walter Niemann was regarded in 1927 as “the most important living piano composer who knows how to make music from the piano in a subtle and colorful way, although he often enters the field of salon music” (H. Abert, Illustrated Music Lexicon). This most sensitive and introverted master of the piano devoted his life to composition and musical scholarship, also performing his music in concerts and radio broadcasts. Niemann’s vast output for the piano is only now starting to become more widely known. Although his style is generally unashamedly conservative, he was one of the very few German composers to explore Impressionism in music, and this also reflected a fascination with the Far East. Elsewhere, Niemann’s imagination takes us from much Baroque recreation to large-scale epic sonatas, Schumannesque miniatures and even the exploration of early jazz styles. His understanding of the capabilities of the piano was complete, and his works include both collections for young pianists and mature works that exploit the full range of pianistic effect and make significant demands on the performer.

A new CD recording has been issued by Romantic Discoveries Recordings.

Piano Music of Walter Niemann volume 20
Ancient Idylls, op. 99 • Merry Prelude, op. 85 • Dreams of Autumn, op. 63 • Rimsky-Korsakov transcr. Niemann: Hymn to the Sun • Theme and Variations inspired by Camoens’ Lusiaden, op. 25 • Arabeske, op. 52 • For the House, op. 34 (includes first recordings)
John Kersey, piano
RDR CD130

Total time: 77 minutes 7 seconds

1. Antike Idyllen, after poems by Elsa Bergmann, op. 99 (18:37)
i. Pompeja ii. Lalage iii. Telemachos iv. Odysseus v. Paesta vi. Erinna

2. Fröhliches Präludium, op. 85 (4:04)

3. Herbstträumereien, op. 63 or 64 (14:16)
i. Andante teneramente ii. Moderato e teneramente, con intimissimo sentimento iii. Molto moderato, un poco malinconico iv. Andante mosso v. Allegro leggierissimo ed amabile

4. Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908) Hymn to the Sun from The Golden Cockerel, transcribed for piano by Walter Niemann (4:48)

5. Theme and Variations inspired by Camões’ Os Lusíadas, op. 25 (17:53)

6. Arabeske, op. 52 (3:24)

7. Fürs Haus, eight little lyric pieces after words by Johann Hinrich Faers, op. 34 (13:51)
i. Little snowbells ii. Colourful butterfly iii. Restlessness iv. Remembering you v. Dried flowers vi. At Christmas time vii. Bad mood viii. An old hunting-piece

Our thanks go to Nicolo Figowy and Steffen Herrmann for their generous loan of scores.

Walter Niemann was regarded in 1927 as “the most important living piano composer who knows how to make music from the piano in a subtle and colorful way, although he often enters the field of salon music” (H. Abert, Illustrated Music Lexicon). This most sensitive and introverted master of the piano devoted his life to composition and musical scholarship, also performing his music in concerts and radio broadcasts. Niemann’s vast output for the piano is only now starting to become more widely known. Although his style is generally unashamedly conservative, he was one of the very few German composers to explore Impressionism in music, and this also reflected a fascination with the Far East. Elsewhere, Niemann’s imagination takes us from much Baroque recreation to large-scale epic sonatas, Schumannesque miniatures and even the exploration of early jazz styles. His understanding of the capabilities of the piano was complete, and his works include both collections for young pianists and mature works that exploit the full range of pianistic effect and make significant demands on the performer.

A new CD recording has been issued by Romantic Discoveries Recordings.

Piano Music of Walter Niemann volume 19
Music for an old castle, op. 147 • To be sung on the gondola – Barcarole, op. 64 • Amoretten, op. 15 • From Forest and Field, op. 17 • Fairy Tales from the Forest, op. 29 • La Cascade, Etude-Poésie, op. 14 • Suite composed to words by Friedrich Hebbel, op. 23 • Fountains, op. 69 • Waltzer-Kaprice, op. 79 (includes first recordings)
John Kersey, piano
RDR CD129

Total time: 73 minutes 51 seconds

1. Musik für ein altes Schlösschen, op. 147 (9:13)
i. Giocoso animato ii. Poco Andante, quasi Andantino iii. Alla Giga. Presto assai e giocoso

2. Auf der Gondel zu singen – Barcarole, op. 64 (4:46)

3. Amoretten, three little recital pieces, op. 15 (9:16)
i. Valse-Rêverie ii. Gavotte à la Reine iii. Roses from the South – Waltz-Arabeske

4. Aus Wald und Flur, three rondinos for little pianists, op. 17 (4:41)
i. On the way to the forest ii. The young shepherd (Pastorale) iii. In the village inn

5. Waldmärchen, five miniatures for the piano, op. 29 (9:17)
i. The King of the Elves a-Hunting is Gone ii. In the Twilight iii. What the Brooklet Murmurs iv. The Princess of the Forest v. The Sun is Rising

6. La Cascade, Etude-Poésie, op. 14 (2:34)

7. Suite composed to words by Friedrich Hebbel, op. 23 (20:25)
i. Prelude – ‘Mid rain and tempest ii. Idyl – Genevieve of the brook iii. Ballad – On the heath iv. Romance – In the spring v. Nocturne – Evening thoughts

8. Wasserspiele, op. 69 (8:53)

9. Waltzer-Kaprice, op. 79 (4:25)

Our thanks go to Nicolo Figowy and Steffen Herrmann for their generous loan of scores.

Walter Niemann was regarded in 1927 as “the most important living piano composer who knows how to make music from the piano in a subtle and colorful way, although he often enters the field of salon music” (H. Abert, Illustrated Music Lexicon). This most sensitive and introverted master of the piano devoted his life to composition and musical scholarship, also performing his music in concerts and radio broadcasts. Niemann’s vast output for the piano is only now starting to become more widely known. Although his style is generally unashamedly conservative, he was one of the very few German composers to explore Impressionism in music, and this also reflected a fascination with the Far East. Elsewhere, Niemann’s imagination takes us from much Baroque recreation to large-scale epic sonatas, Schumannesque miniatures and even the exploration of early jazz styles. His understanding of the capabilities of the piano was complete, and his works include both collections for young pianists and mature works that exploit the full range of pianistic effect and make significant demands on the performer.

A new CD recording has been issued by Romantic Discoveries Recordings.

Piano Music of Walter Niemann volume 18
Voices of the Wood, op. 184 • Bunte Lampions, op. 186 • Valse-Impromptu, op. 183 • The Spring Morning, op. 167 • Ciacona – The Church Window, op. 169 • Pavane and Gavotte, op. 108 • Three Poetical Waltzes op 182 • Christmas Bells, op 129 • Präludium, Menuett and Capriccio, op. 133 (includes first recordings)
John Kersey, piano
RDR CD128

Total time: 78 minutes 53 seconds

1. Waldweben, op. 184 (4:16)

2. Coloured Lanterns; 12 little pictures from old China (inspired by A. Gervais’ “A doctor experiences China”), op. 186 (20:03)
i. Merry journey in the sedan chair ii. Garden in the evening iii. The stumbling lantern-bearer iv. Fog over the city v. Inn vi. Curved roofs vii. Twilight viii. Rickshaw coolies in the rain ix. Distant voices of the city by night x. Theatre xi. Junks xii. Farewell to China

3. Valse-Impromptu, op. 183 (2:54)

4. Der Frühlingsmorgen, eight little flower-pieces, op. 167 (13:32)
i. Tulip ii. Violet iii. Daffodil iv. Pansy v. Hyacinth vi. Liverwort vii. Wallflower viii. Cowslip
“Fragrant in pure blue, the early red melted like silver And the garden was already glowing sunnier with coloured ropes” – Johann Heinrich Voss

5. Ciacona – Das Kirchenfenster, op. 169 (5:04)
“…pure church windows in which the colours of the rainbow have become images of saints” – Felix Timmermanns, Das schöne Lier

6. Pavane and Gavotte, op. 108 (7:52)
i. Pavane (In memory of my parents) – Un poco largamente lamentoso ii. Gavotte

7. Drei poetische Waltzer, op. 182 (7:44)
i. Blue Syringa ii. Coloured Asters iii. Vetches and Convulvulus

8. Weihnachtsglocken (Christmas Bells); little variations on an English air by Matthew Camidge (1795), op. 129 (5:30)

9. Präludium, Menuett and Capriccio, op. 133 (11:39)
i. Präludium (Allegro marcato) ii. Menuett (Tempo di minuetto) – Musette (Poco più mosso) iii. Capriccio (Allegro non troppo, ma marcato)

Our thanks go to Nicolo Figowy and Steffen Herrmann for their generous loan of scores.

Walter Niemann was regarded in 1927 as “the most important living piano composer who knows how to make music from the piano in a subtle and colorful way, although he often enters the field of salon music” (H. Abert, Illustrated Music Lexicon). This most sensitive and introverted master of the piano devoted his life to composition and musical scholarship, also performing his music in concerts and radio broadcasts. Niemann’s vast output for the piano is only now starting to become more widely known. Although his style is generally unashamedly conservative, he was one of the very few German composers to explore Impressionism in music, and this also reflected a fascination with the Far East. Elsewhere, Niemann’s imagination takes us from much Baroque recreation to large-scale epic sonatas, Schumannesque miniatures and even the exploration of early jazz styles. His understanding of the capabilities of the piano was complete, and his works include both collections for young pianists and mature works that exploit the full range of pianistic effect and make significant demands on the performer.

A new CD recording has been issued by Romantic Discoveries Recordings.

Piano Music of Walter Niemann volume 17
Romantic Miniatures, op. 33 • Musical Picture Book after Kate Greenaway, op. 19 • The Garden of Orchids, op. 76 • Two Barcarolles, op. 144 (includes first recordings)
John Kersey, piano
RDR CD127

Total time: 78 minutes 11 seconds

1. Romantische Miniaturen, inspired by poems of Jens Peter Jacobsen, op. 33 (19:33)
i. Yellow Roses ii. Old Roman Pastorale iii. Dreams iv. Silent Love v. Beautiful Autumn Day vi. Butterfly vii. Shadows viii. In the flower garden ix. Death in Springtime x. On the Elves’ Hill

2. Musikalisches Bilderbuch after Kate Greenaway, op. 19 (23:22)
i. The Doll’s Lullaby ii. Christmas Eve iii. The little Soldier iv. The Mill v. Grandma’s Fairy Tales vi. Lisette dances a Minuet vii. Dolly is sick viii. The first time to school ix. A little Tyrolean Ländler x. Mary’s Birthday Bouquet xi. The callow youth xii. A Hunting Piece xiii. The Brooklet in the Forest xiv. The Sleigh Ride xv. The Circus xvi. Mother Hubbard and her Dog

3. Der Orchideengarten, Ten Impressions from the Far East, op. 76 (25:50)
i. Javanese Dance ii. Song of the Malay Fishermen iii. In a green porcelain tea-house iv. Lotus Flower v. Bird of Paradise at a Waterfall vi. Blossoming Liana-Vines vii. The Indian Magician viii. In the Chinese City ix. Moonlight beneath the Palms x. A Rickshaw Ride

4. Zwei Barkarolen, op. 144 (9:39)
i. Poco Allegretto tranquillo (in anmutigem Fliessen) ii. Molto moderato, ma con anima
“There, on a May evening, when his light boat after a hot day glided late under the silent tree vault, from which the moonlight trickled into the water, towards the Alster…” – Rudolf G. Binding (Der Opfergang)

Our thanks go to Nicolo Figowy and Steffen Herrmann for their generous loan of scores.

Walter Niemann was regarded in 1927 as “the most important living piano composer who knows how to make music from the piano in a subtle and colorful way, although he often enters the field of salon music” (H. Abert, Illustrated Music Lexicon). This most sensitive and introverted master of the piano devoted his life to composition and musical scholarship, also performing his music in concerts and radio broadcasts. Niemann’s vast output for the piano is only now starting to become more widely known. Although his style is generally unashamedly conservative, he was one of the very few German composers to explore Impressionism in music, and this also reflected a fascination with the Far East. Elsewhere, Niemann’s imagination takes us from much Baroque recreation to large-scale epic sonatas, Schumannesque miniatures and even the exploration of early jazz styles. His understanding of the capabilities of the piano was complete, and his works include both collections for young pianists and mature works that exploit the full range of pianistic effect and make significant demands on the performer.

A new CD recording has been issued by Romantic Discoveries Recordings.

Piano Music of Walter Niemann volume 16
24 Preludes, op. 55 • Im Kinderland, op. 46 • Yule Slumber Lilt, op. 143 (includes first recordings)
John Kersey, piano
RDR CD126

Total time: 74 minutes 18 seconds

1. 24 Preludes, op. 55 (43:15)
Book I:
i. (C major) Off to a Happy Start ii. (A minor) An Evening in Seville (Spanish Dance-Song) iii. (G major) The Brook in the Green iv. (E minor) Shapes in the Fog v. (D major) A Dream vi. (B minor) Brooding and Musing vii. (A major) Silent Happiness viii. (F sharp minor) The Three Shepherds ix. (E major) The Babbling Meadow-Spring x. (C sharp minor) At Robert Schumann’s Grave xi. (B major) Devotion xii. (G sharp minor) Autumnal Thoughts
Book II
xiii. (G flat major) In Festive Splendour xiv. (E flat minor) Funeral Procession at Night xv. (D flat major) In the Gloaming xvi. (B flat minor) Fleeting Shadows xvii. (A flat major) Lassie with thy Locks of Gold xviii. (F minor) Hardened Hearts xix. (E flat major) To Adolph Henselt xx. (C minor) Old Harpsichord Tunes xxi. (B flat major) Dialogue xxii. (G minor) Anger xxiii. (F major) Onward, onward, never resting! xxiv. (D minor) Lament

2. In Children’s Land, nineteen pieces in progressive sequence, op. 46 (20:44)
i. Morning Prayers ii. Christmas-Bells iii. Chinese Lanterns! iv. Prince Suso and Princess Susi dance a minuet v. Schoolmaster Morose with a long nose vi. With a birthday bouquet vii. Very melancholic viii. Little Willy and the Wind ix. The little Mermaid in the shell x. Hans on the ice xi. Cradlesong for Dolly Dora xii. In an aeroplane xiii. Dolly’s Washingday xiv. Falling Flakes xv. The brave hen xvi. Little brother and little sister xvii. The three little chatterboxes xviii. Evening Prayers xix. Dreams

3. Krippenmusik zur Weihnacht, op. 143 (10:14)
i. Snowy Night ii. Come, O ye Shepherds! iii. Pastorella (The Shepherds’ Lay at the Cradle) iv. The Adoration of the Holy Child v. Joyous Dance of Children and Shepherds vi. Wing-dance of Angels

Our thanks go to Nicolo Figowy and Steffen Herrmann for their generous loan of scores.

Walter Niemann was regarded in 1927 as “the most important living piano composer who knows how to make music from the piano in a subtle and colorful way, although he often enters the field of salon music” (H. Abert, Illustrated Music Lexicon). This most sensitive and introverted master of the piano devoted his life to composition and musical scholarship, also performing his music in concerts and radio broadcasts. Niemann’s vast output for the piano is only now starting to become more widely known. Although his style is generally unashamedly conservative, he was one of the very few German composers to explore Impressionism in music, and this also reflected a fascination with the Far East. Elsewhere, Niemann’s imagination takes us from much Baroque recreation to large-scale epic sonatas, Schumannesque miniatures and even the exploration of early jazz styles. His understanding of the capabilities of the piano was complete, and his works include both collections for young pianists and mature works that exploit the full range of pianistic effect and make significant demands on the performer.

A new CD recording has been issued by Romantic Discoveries Recordings.

Piano Music of Walter Niemann volume 15
Ancient China, op. 62 • 3 Compositions, op. 7 • Black Forest Idylls, op. 21 • Tokkata, op. 78 • Three Miniatures (without opus number) • Brazilian Rhapsodies, op. 110 (includes first recordings)
John Kersey, piano
RDR CD125

Total time: 66 minutes 56 seconds

1. Alt-China; five dream-poems for piano, op. 62 (22:28)
i. The Pagoda Bells – Prelude ii. The Chinese Nightingale – Elegy iii. Little Li-Li-Tse – Scherzo-Caprice iv. The Sacred Barque – All Souls’ Day – Nocturne v. A Garden Fete – Finale (19:21)
“The Composer, having in a dream joined the Poet, Paul Claudel (author of “Aus der Erkenntnis des Ostens”, translated into German by Jakob Hegner, and published by Insel-Verlag), on a journey to China, relates here in music some of his experiences. They do not pretend to be Chinese, as the Composer does not deliberately employ the five-tone scale, whole-tone combinations with abstention from the leading-note, strange rhythms, and other primitive auxiliary means of producing exotic music; they are intended to be Chinese only in so far as they reproduce the delicate, exotic, fairy-tale atmosphere of the Far East, occasionally coloured with the primitive element in music. The work should be regarded as a musical picture of Ancient China, as conceived in a dream-fantasy by a modern German composer.”

2. Drei Kompositionen for the Pianoforte, op. 7 (7:14)
i. Intrata ii. Remembrance iii. Arabeske

3. Schwarzwald-Idyllen, 10 Character-Pieces for Piano, op. 21 (19:42)
i. Morning-glories and Eglantine ii. Butterfly iii. On a poem by Hebbel iv. The bairn v. On a sunny bank vi. Whims and fancies vii. A picture by Thoma viii. Little bare-foot ix. A gloomy hour x. The woodland brook

4. Tokkata, op. 78 (3:29)

5. Three Miniatures (without opus number) (10:33)
i. Träumerei ii. Schweizer Kuhreigen (Ranz des vaches) | “Hark! the note, (The Shepherd’s pipe in the distance is heard) The natural music of the mountain reed–For here the patriarchal days are not A pastoral fable — pipes in the liberal air, Mix’d with the sweet bells of the sauntering herd” – Byron – “Manfred” Act 1, Scene 2
3. Kleiner Waltzer (07:07)

6. Brasilianische Rhapsodien, op. 110 (9:25)
i. In the Form of a Tango ii. In the Form of a Fandango (based on a melody collected by Alexandre and Alice Rey Colaço in “Cantigas de Portugal”)

Our thanks go to Nicolo Figowy and Steffen Herrmann for their generous loan of scores.

Walter Niemann was regarded in 1927 as “the most important living piano composer who knows how to make music from the piano in a subtle and colorful way, although he often enters the field of salon music” (H. Abert, Illustrated Music Lexicon). This most sensitive and introverted master of the piano devoted his life to composition and musical scholarship, also performing his music in concerts and radio broadcasts. Niemann’s vast output for the piano is only now starting to become more widely known. Although his style is generally unashamedly conservative, he was one of the very few German composers to explore Impressionism in music, and this also reflected a fascination with the Far East. Elsewhere, Niemann’s imagination takes us from much Baroque recreation to large-scale epic sonatas, Schumannesque miniatures and even the exploration of early jazz styles. His understanding of the capabilities of the piano was complete, and his works include both collections for young pianists and mature works that exploit the full range of pianistic effect and make significant demands on the performer.

A new CD recording has been issued by Romantic Discoveries Recordings.

Piano Music of Walter Niemann volume 14
Holstein Idylls, op. 8 • Hans und Grete, op. 36 • Suite, op. 87 • Kocheler Ländler, op. 135 • 3 Nocturnes, op. 28 (includes first recordings)
John Kersey, piano
RDR CD124

Total time: 66 minutes 56 seconds

1. Holsteinische Idyllen, op. 8 (17:21)
i. Early spring ii. In blossom-snow iii. In the deep forest (East Holstein) iv. Evening atmosphere v. North Sea landscape
“And suddenly an idyll lay before him. Over by the pond the stately courtyard with the mighty residential building and the linden-shaded living rooms, the green panelwork of the walls, the bright red of their bricks reflected in the clear water, the bridge rolling and roaring dully under the wheels, the dusting mill wheel and in the background the vast radiant and bursting forest in the spring sun.” – Timm Kröger

2. Hansel and Gretel, op. 36 (14:17)
i. Gretel ii. Hansel iii. A fairground serenade iv. “Suse, Peter Kruse” (from an old Schleswig-Holstein childrens’ song) v. A hard holiday task vi. The nightwatchman’s round vii. In the garden under the lilac viii. On the railway ix. The first great sorrow x. Wicked Friedrich from the village xi. The Woodman and Kitty xii. Uncle Theobald and Aunt Doris – A Gavotte from the good old days xiii. Farewell

3. Suite for piano, op. 87 (13:29)
i. Praeludium – Molto moderato, in modo d’un Preambulo ii. Sarabande – Poco adagio iii. Menuett – Un poco Allegretto amabile iv. Rigaudon – Allegro con spirito

4. Kocheler Ländler, op. 135 (15:29)
i. Lieblich und gemessen ii. Munter und scharf markiert iii. Anmutig wiegend iv. Feurig und scharf markiert v. Mit schelmischer Grazie vi. Heimlich und gedämpft vii. Feurig und rhythmisch markiert (nach altbayrischen Originalmotiven) viii. Träumerisch versonnen und ein wenig gehalten im Tempo ix. Mässig, doch lieblich bewegt x. Unmutig erregt und pathetisch, frei im Tempo xi. Heimlich und versonnen xii. Heiter, doch gemessen im Tempo und scharf markiert (Altbayrischer Schuhplattler)

5. Three Nocturnes, op. 28 (10:58)
i. Alhambra (Granada) ii. Nach glücklichem Tage iii. Ave Maria (Frauenchiernsee)

Our thanks go to Nicolo Figowy and Steffen Herrmann for their generous loan of scores.

Walter Niemann was regarded in 1927 as “the most important living piano composer who knows how to make music from the piano in a subtle and colorful way, although he often enters the field of salon music” (H. Abert, Illustrated Music Lexicon). This most sensitive and introverted master of the piano devoted his life to composition and musical scholarship, also performing his music in concerts and radio broadcasts. Niemann’s vast output for the piano is only now starting to become more widely known. Although his style is generally unashamedly conservative, he was one of the very few German composers to explore Impressionism in music, and this also reflected a fascination with the Far East. Elsewhere, Niemann’s imagination takes us from much Baroque recreation to large-scale epic sonatas, Schumannesque miniatures and even the exploration of early jazz styles. His understanding of the capabilities of the piano was complete, and his works include both collections for young pianists and mature works that exploit the full range of pianistic effect and make significant demands on the performer.

A new CD recording has been issued by Romantic Discoveries Recordings.

Piano Music of Walter Niemann volume 13
Piano Sonata no. 1 “Romantic” op. 60 • Fantasie-Mazurka, op. 53 • Suite after words by Jens Peter Jacobsen, op. 43 • Meissen Porcelain, op. 6 (includes first recordings)
John Kersey, piano
RDR CD123

Total time: 66 minutes 56 seconds

1. Piano Sonata no. 1 in A minor, op. 60 “Romantic” (25:17)
i. Allegro moderato – In the spirit of a Romantic Ballade ii. Poco Adagio iii. Non troppo allegro e poco giocoso

2. Fantasie-Mazurka, op. 53 (4:25)

3. Suite after words by Jens Peter Jacobsen, op. 43 (17:49)
i. Präludium – The old fountains ii. Romanze – Rose time iii. Barkarole – In the boat iv. Ballade – Finale – Phantom in the mist

4. Meissner Porzellan; little suite in the old style for the piano, op. 6 (19:17)
i. Praeludium – Allegro risoluto, ma non troppo ii. Sarabande – Andante sostenuto iii. Gavotte – Allegretto tranquillo, ma grazioso e scherzando iv. Air – Adagio cantabile v. Rigaudon – Allegro vivace e giocoso

Our thanks go to Nicolo Figowy and Steffen Herrmann for their generous loan of scores.

Walter Niemann was regarded in 1927 as “the most important living piano composer who knows how to make music from the piano in a subtle and colorful way, although he often enters the field of salon music” (H. Abert, Illustrated Music Lexicon). This most sensitive and introverted master of the piano devoted his life to composition and musical scholarship, also performing his music in concerts and radio broadcasts. Niemann’s vast output for the piano is only now starting to become more widely known. Although his style is generally unashamedly conservative, he was one of the very few German composers to explore Impressionism in music, and this also reflected a fascination with the Far East. Elsewhere, Niemann’s imagination takes us from much Baroque recreation to large-scale epic sonatas, Schumannesque miniatures and even the exploration of early jazz styles. His understanding of the capabilities of the piano was complete, and his works include both collections for young pianists and mature works that exploit the full range of pianistic effect and make significant demands on the performer.

A new CD recording has been issued by Romantic Discoveries Recordings.

Piano Music of Walter Niemann volume 12
4 Ballades, op. 81 • Sanssouci Gavotte, op. 65 • Janmaaten, op. 136 • Trianon – Menuet favori, op. 66 • Singende Fontäne, op. 30 • 3 Sonatinas, op. 24 • Romantic Impromptu, op. 31 • Butterfly-Etude, op. 82 (includes first recordings)
John Kersey, piano
RDR CD122

Total time: 74 minutes 36 seconds

1. Four Ballades, op. 81 (27:38)
i. Römische Campagna | Dem Wanderer steigt vor den Trümmern eines alten Tempels eine leuchtende Vision antiken Lebens auf. Sie bricht auf ihrem dithyrambischen Höhepunkt zusammen; wieder liegt die römische Campagna in schwermütiger Verlassenheit da. | ii. Nordische Heide | Das düstere Grauen einer unheimlichen Mordstelle unterbricht die Erinnerung an altes frohes Jagdleben. | iii. Sonntag in Lissabon | Die helle heitere (Ständchen) und die dunkle leidenschaftliche Seite (Mittelsatz) des Volkslebens schliessen sich unter leisem Klang der Kirchenglocken zur Ballade zusammen. | iv. Nordische Meerfahrt
2. Sanssouci Gavotte, op. 65 (3:49)

3. Janmaaten (Shipmates) – two humoresques from the Hamburg harbour, op. 136 (6:32)
i. Thetje and his little daughters ii. With Jan Hinnerk in the “Merry Seal”

4. Trianon – Menuet favori, op. 66 (3:05)
5. The Singing Fountain (Nocturne), op. 30 (4:55)

6. Sonatina in C major, op. 24 no. 1 (6:07)
i. Allegro commodo e non troppo ii. Little variations on a Danish folksong (“Ich legte mein Haupt auf dem Elfenhügel” from Friedrich Kuhlau’s opera “Elves’ Hill”) iii. Rondo. Molto giocoso quasi Presto

7. Sonatina in A minor, op. 24 no. 2 (7:20)
i. Molto moderato ii. Andantino tranquillo iii. Rondo. Vivace e giocoso

8. Sonatina in D major, op. 24 no. 3 (8:38)
i. Allegro molto moderato e tranquillo, quasi Allegretto ii. Andantino cantabile e tranquillo iii. Allegro molto con brio

9. Romantisches Impromptu, op. 31 (4:59)
10. Schmetterling – Etude, op. 82 (1:11)

Our thanks go to Nicolo Figowy and Steffen Herrmann for their generous loan of scores.

Walter Niemann was regarded in 1927 as “the most important living piano composer who knows how to make music from the piano in a subtle and colorful way, although he often enters the field of salon music” (H. Abert, Illustrated Music Lexicon). This most sensitive and introverted master of the piano devoted his life to composition and musical scholarship, also performing his music in concerts and radio broadcasts. Niemann’s vast output for the piano is only now starting to become more widely known. Although his style is generally unashamedly conservative, he was one of the very few German composers to explore Impressionism in music, and this also reflected a fascination with the Far East. Elsewhere, Niemann’s imagination takes us from much Baroque recreation to large-scale epic sonatas, Schumannesque miniatures and even the exploration of early jazz styles. His understanding of the capabilities of the piano was complete, and his works include both collections for young pianists and mature works that exploit the full range of pianistic effect and make significant demands on the performer.

A new CD recording has been issued by Romantic Discoveries Recordings.

Piano Music of Walter Niemann volume 11
Prelude, Intermezzo and Fugue, op. 73 • Immensee, op. 54 • Pharaonenland, op. 86 • Aus alter Zeit, nach Th. Storm, op. 39 • 8 Mazurkas, op. 74 • Von Gold drei Rosen, op. 42 • Der Kuckuck, op. 38 (includes first recordings)
John Kersey, piano
RDR CD121

Total time: 71 minutes 13 seconds

1. Präludium, Intermezzo und Fuge, op. 73 (9:27)
i. Präludium – Moderato ii. Intermezzo – Come una Cadenza, vivo a capriccio iii. Fuga – Moderato, ma sempre poco giocoso

2. Immensee – romantic fantasy after Theodor Storm, op. 54 (14:25)

3. Land of the Pharaohs, three pictures, op. 86 (10:48)
i. Evening on the Nile (Elegie) – Andante poco sostenuto e languido ii. Sphinx (Basso ostinato) – Lento misterioso iii. Ancient Egyptian Temple Dance – Molto moderato solenne

4. From olden times: little suite after words of Theodor Storm, op. 39 (8:26)
i. Pavane (In the ballroom) – Solenne con gravita ii. Allemande (Spring Sunday in the old garden) – Moderato ed amabile iii. Hornpipe (Sailors’ Dance) – Spirituoso iv. Capriccio (The Farewell) – Un poco sostenuto ed agitato

5. Eight Mazurkas, op. 74 (15:48)
i. Ruhig und ein wenig gehalten ii. Hell und frisch bewegt iii. In trübem Sinnen iv. Mässig, mit Anmut und Grazie v. Mit stiller, edler Trauer, sehr gehalten und gedämpft vi. Zart und anmutig, im ruhigen naiven Pastoralton vii. Mit sinniger Grazie viii. Frisch, herrisch und markiert

6. Three Golden Roses, op. 42 (5:06)

7. The Cuckoo: little suite, op. 38 (6:58)
i. Präludium – Moderato, ma con anima ii. Tempo di Minuetto iii. Tokkatina – Vivace iv. Arietta – Andantino amabile v. Gigue (Little Hunting Piece) – Alla caccia, molto vivace e giocoso
“Nu harr de Kukuk Hochtid makt/Und lach opt allerbest” – Claus Groth

Our thanks go to Nicolo Figowy and Steffen Herrmann for their generous loan of scores.

Walter Niemann was regarded in 1927 as “the most important living piano composer who knows how to make music from the piano in a subtle and colorful way, although he often enters the field of salon music” (H. Abert, Illustrated Music Lexicon). This most sensitive and introverted master of the piano devoted his life to composition and musical scholarship, also performing his music in concerts and radio broadcasts. Niemann’s vast output for the piano is only now starting to become more widely known. Although his style is generally unashamedly conservative, he was one of the very few German composers to explore Impressionism in music, and this also reflected a fascination with the Far East. Elsewhere, Niemann’s imagination takes us from much Baroque recreation to large-scale epic sonatas, Schumannesque miniatures and even the exploration of early jazz styles. His understanding of the capabilities of the piano was complete, and his works include both collections for young pianists and mature works that exploit the full range of pianistic effect and make significant demands on the performer.

A new CD recording has been issued by Romantic Discoveries Recordings.

Piano Music of Walter Niemann volume 10
Porcelain, op. 120 • Chaconne, op. 44 • Suite after pictures by Carl Spitzweg, op. 84 • Japan, op. 89 (includes first recordings)
John Kersey, piano
RDR CD120

Total time: 72 minutes 8 seconds

1. Porzellan – Figures from famous china manufactories, op.120 (23:46)
i. The Little Shepherdess (Meissen) ii. An English Rustic Couple Dancing (Old Chelsea) iii. Athenian Dance at a Sacrificial Festival (Vienna) iv. Danish Spring (Copenhagen) (Dedicated to the memory of Niels Gade) v. Rice-Birdie (Japan) vi. The Little Dutch Belfry (Delft) vii. Beppo, the Serenade-Singer (Naples) viii. Hunting-Piece (Rosenthal) ix. Madame la Marquise (Sevres) x. The Yellow-Porcelain Mandarin (China) xi. The Fountain at Sans-Souci (Old Berlin)

2. Chaconne, op. 44 (6:15)

3. Suite after pictures by Carl Spitzweg, op. 84 (19:56)
i. Serenade ii. Flute concerto iii. The Guards iv. Post in the forest v. Italian street-singer

4. Japan – A Cycle of Pieces for Piano, op. 89 (22:04)
i. The Tea House ii. Twilight at Sea iii. The Feast of Cherry Blossoms iv. Fudsiyama (The Holy Mount) v. Dance of the Geisha

Our thanks go to Nicolo Figowy and Steffen Herrmann for their generous loan of scores.

Walter Niemann was regarded in 1927 as “the most important living piano composer who knows how to make music from the piano in a subtle and colorful way, although he often enters the field of salon music” (H. Abert, Illustrated Music Lexicon). This most sensitive and introverted master of the piano devoted his life to composition and musical scholarship, also performing his music in concerts and radio broadcasts. Niemann’s vast output for the piano is only now starting to become more widely known. Although his style is generally unashamedly conservative, he was one of the very few German composers to explore Impressionism in music, and this also reflected a fascination with the Far East. Elsewhere, Niemann’s imagination takes us from much Baroque recreation to large-scale epic sonatas, Schumannesque miniatures and even the exploration of early jazz styles. His understanding of the capabilities of the piano was complete, and his works include both collections for young pianists and mature works that exploit the full range of pianistic effect and make significant demands on the performer.

A new CD recording has been issued by Romantic Discoveries Recordings.

Piano Music of Walter Niemann volume 9
Piano Sonata no. 2 “Nordic”, op. 75 • Die Harzreise, op. 77 • Galante Musik, op. 109 • Aus vergangenen Tagen – Ballade, op. 49 (includes first recordings)
John Kersey, piano
RDR CD119

Total time: 76 minutes 46 seconds

1. Piano Sonata no. 2 in F major, op. 75 “Nordische”
i. Un poco sostenuto – Un poco allegro ii. Adagio mesto – In the dark, heavy tone of a Nordic Ballade iii. Poco allegro agitato
“I caught sight of a picture: a rainbow, less glaring than the sun, shines in subdued light; but it should only sparkle and never serve as a bridge to fate, for this only emerges from the human breast.” – – Friedrich Hebbel

2. The Harz Journey (after Heinrich Heine), op. 77
i. Ilsefälle ii. Goslar iii. Mountain Tale iv. Witches’ Ride v. Evening bells of the herd vi. Procession of the Gnomes vii. The last Sunday

3. Galant Music, six pieces, op. 109
i. Praeludium – Un poco Allegretto, quasi Andantino mosso ii. Sarabande – Tempo lento e solenne della Sarabanda iii. Gavotte – Tempo di Gavotta, molto moderato – Musette I iv. Gigue – Vivo v. Menuet – Tempo di Minuetto (Allegro moderato) – Musette II vi. Rigaudon – Vivo e giocoso

4. From bygone days – Ballade, op. 49

Our thanks go to Nicolo Figowy and Steffen Herrmann for their generous loan of scores.

Walter Niemann was regarded in 1927 as “the most important living piano composer who knows how to make music from the piano in a subtle and colorful way, although he often enters the field of salon music” (H. Abert, Illustrated Music Lexicon). This most sensitive and introverted master of the piano devoted his life to composition and musical scholarship, also performing his music in concerts and radio broadcasts. Niemann’s vast output for the piano is only now starting to become more widely known. Although his style is generally unashamedly conservative, he was one of the very few German composers to explore Impressionism in music, and this also reflected a fascination with the Far East. Elsewhere, Niemann’s imagination takes us from much Baroque recreation to large-scale epic sonatas, Schumannesque miniatures and even the exploration of early jazz styles. His understanding of the capabilities of the piano was complete, and his works include both collections for young pianists and mature works that exploit the full range of pianistic effect and make significant demands on the performer.

A new CD recording has been issued by Romantic Discoveries Recordings.

Piano Music of Walter Niemann volume 8
Bali, op. 116 • Ilsenberger Sonata (Piano Sonata no. 11), op. 150 • Silhouetten, op. 47 • Modern Dance Suite, op. 115 (includes first recordings)
John Kersey, piano
RDR CD118

Total time: 77 minutes 42 seconds

1. Bali – Visions and pictures from the Far East, op. 116 (34:59)
i. Solitary Rice-Field ii. Idyllic Landscape iii. Temple fanned by the morning-breeze iv. Procession of Sacrificers v. Dead calm at noon vi. Adinda’s Dance vii. Cockfight viii. Nocturne (Duet in the night) ix. The Porters’ March x. The Waterfall

2. Ilsenburger Sonate (Piano Sonata no. 11), op. 150 (13:08)
i. Allegretto espressivo ii. Burgmusik – Moderato alla marcia iii. Allegro con spirito

3. Silhouettes; enjoyable musical pictures after words by Theodor Storm, op. 47 (13:05)
i. Präludium – Enjoy your work! – Moderato ii. Allemande – Flowers at the window – Molto moderato e tranquillo iii. Courante – The little grandmother – Moderato iv. Sarabande – The love letter – Sostenuto v. Basso ostinato – Autumn sunshine – Sostenuto, in modo malinconico vi. Arietta – The little demoiselle – Andantino grazioso ed amoroso vii. Siciliano – Italian landscape – Molto moderato viii. Scherzino-Canon – The goat team – Vivace, ma non troppo ix. Menuett – A dainty little dancer – Tempo di Minuetto x. Rigaudon – The gallant French – Marcato e giocoso

4. Moderne Tanzsuite, op. 115 (16:21)
i. Blues – The minims fairly slow ii. Valse Boston – Tempo di Boston – With a graceful and weary elegance iii. Tempo di Charleston – Allegro moderato alla burla – With grotesque humour iv. Tango – Tempo di Tango (Andante patetico ed elegiaco) v. Negertanz – Negro Dance – Giocoso con spirito e sempre ben accentuato – With a childlike and naive gaiety
“The attentive reader will now ask: ‘And how do you feel about jazz and new music?’ I want to answer him openly and honestly. I am not so foolish and so narrow-minded as to reject jazz and new music indignantly or wringing my hands. Because I myself have a Modern Dance Suite in forms of jazz and a whole series of tangoes, and I myself have written piano pieces such as the ‘Werfthämmer’, the ‘Spuk am Fleet’ in the Hamburg cycle, the ‘Hahnenkampf’ in the Bali cycle, and those get very close to contemporary music. So I’m neither an ‘old, calcified reactionary’ nor a ‘dumb envy’. I also recognize jazz as a ‘new art’, I give it full justification as a lifestyle and dance style of modern youth, I often find it extremely amusing, and I am also happy about its influence on German symphonic music, which is often so frighteningly frozen in rhythm […]” – Walter Niemann – Mein Leben fürs Klavier, Rückblicke und Ausblicke (1952)

Our thanks go to Nicolo Figowy and Steffen Herrmann for their generous loan of scores.

Walter Niemann was regarded in 1927 as “the most important living piano composer who knows how to make music from the piano in a subtle and colorful way, although he often enters the field of salon music” (H. Abert, Illustrated Music Lexicon). This most sensitive and introverted master of the piano devoted his life to composition and musical scholarship, also performing his music in concerts and radio broadcasts. Niemann’s vast output for the piano is only now starting to become more widely known. Although his style is generally unashamedly conservative, he was one of the very few German composers to explore Impressionism in music, and this also reflected a fascination with the Far East. Elsewhere, Niemann’s imagination takes us from much Baroque recreation to large-scale epic sonatas, Schumannesque miniatures and even the exploration of early jazz styles. His understanding of the capabilities of the piano was complete, and his works include both collections for young pianists and mature works that exploit the full range of pianistic effect and make significant demands on the performer.

A new CD recording has been issued by Romantic Discoveries Recordings.

Piano Music of Walter Niemann volume 7
Piano Sonata no. 6, op. 98 no. 1 • Piano Sonata no. 7, op. 98 no. 2 • Sonatina “Voices of Autumn”, op. 103 • Deutsche Ländler und Reigen, op. 26 (includes first recordings)
John Kersey, piano
RDR CD117

Total time: 68 minutes 6 seconds

1. Piano Sonata no. 6 in D major, op. 98 no. 1 (18:42)
i. Un poco Allegretto ii. Larghetto alla Barcarola – In schwüler Mittagstille auf dem Wasser zu singen iii. Moderato ed amabile

2. Piano Sonata no. 7 in E minor, op. 98 no. 2 (14:55)
i. Molto moderato ed espressivo ii. Andantino con Variazioni

3. Sonatina “Stimmen des Herbstes”, op. 103 (10:48)
i. Un poco Andantino ii. Fughetta. Un poco Andante tranquillo e malinconico iii. Molto sostenuto e tranquillo (after “The Fall of the Leafe” by Martin Peerson (c.1571-1650) and the Dies Irae)

4. German Country Dances, op. 26 (23:34)
i. At Boppard on the Rhine ii. Idyl by the Lake of Constance iii. Vienna of Old iv. Suabian Highland Dance v. Slow Tyrolienne vi. In Sleswic-Holstein vii. Bavarian Country-Wake viii. In the Thuringian Forest ix. Westfalian Rustic Dance x. In the Black Forest

Our thanks go to Nicolo Figowy and Steffen Herrmann for their generous loan of scores.

Walter Niemann was regarded in 1927 as “the most important living piano composer who knows how to make music from the piano in a subtle and colorful way, although he often enters the field of salon music” (H. Abert, Illustrated Music Lexicon). This most sensitive and introverted master of the piano devoted his life to composition and musical scholarship, also performing his music in concerts and radio broadcasts. Niemann’s vast output for the piano is only now starting to become more widely known. Although his style is generally unashamedly conservative, he was one of the very few German composers to explore Impressionism in music, and this also reflected a fascination with the Far East. Elsewhere, Niemann’s imagination takes us from much Baroque recreation to large-scale epic sonatas, Schumannesque miniatures and even the exploration of early jazz styles. His understanding of the capabilities of the piano was complete, and his works include both collections for young pianists and mature works that exploit the full range of pianistic effect and make significant demands on the performer.

A new CD recording has been issued by Romantic Discoveries Recordings.

Piano Music of Walter Niemann volume 6
Impressions, op. 112 • Rokoko Suite, op. 148 • Eine kleine Wassermusik, op. 32 • Ein Bergidyll, op. 100 (includes first recordings)
John Kersey, piano
RDR CD116

Total time: 67 minutes 40 seconds

1. Impressionen, six pieces for piano, op. 112 (36:24)
i. Morning Voices ii. Estival Melancholy iii. The Hour of Dusk iv. Love’s Plainting (Grief and Death of Tiny Tse-Fung) v. Carillon (Legend in the manner of an old Dutch Carillon) vi. Gardens in Spring
Introductory Remarks:
‘The “Impressions”, inspirations conceived from Nature or from incidents of human life, originate partly in poems of the German leader of Impressionism, Stefan George, partly in those of Else Bergmann, a poetess belonging to George’s sphere. In character and colouring these “Impressions” correspond with the poems entitled “Morning Voices” (1), “Estival Melancholy” (2), “The Hour of Dusk” (3), and “Gardens in Spring” (6). They are selected from two collections of lyrical poems published by Stefan George under the title of “Der Teppich des Lebens” and “Lieder von Traum und Tod” (“Life’s variegated Tissue” and “Songs of Dream and Death”). The rest, “Tse-Fung” (4) and “Beghina” (5) are poems of Else Bergmann. The pictures of Nature traced by Stefan George do not want any explanation. As to the two poems of E. Bergmann, we may be allowed to add, that Tse-Fung is the name of a young Chinese princess who, on the point of marrying an old mandarin, feels the impossibility to forget her young lover and kills herself, overwhelmed by an invincible melancholy. No. 5 wants to evoke before us the sweet form of a young beguine, who after cruel deceptions finds peace in a beguinage, in Amsterdam, leading there a life of pious resignation and godliness – quite a legendary life. This may be all necessary to be known by him who wishes to conceive the sense of these musical poems.” Walter Niemann

2. Rokoko, Ballet Suite for piano, op. 148a (12:53)
i. Gavotte – Brocade jacket and full-bottomed wig ii. Air – Flute-playing satyr iii. Ballet – Dance of nymphs and dryads iv. Gigue – Little cupids v. Rigaudon en Rondeau – The cavalier and the marquise
“Da standen wir im Grün und in der Sonne und mitten im verwilderten Rokoko ” – Wilhelm Raabe

3. A little water music; three poetic pieces of Dortmund, op. 32 (7:45)
i. The Wiesenbach ii. Along the forest stream iii. The little waterfall

4. Ein Bergidyll; Variations on a shepherd’s tune, op. 100 (10:31)
“From the mysterious pine darkness of the Harz Forest I step onto a high, free mountain path. The blue sea and the mountain tops surround me in serious, melancholic beauty. Over there, on the bare slope, the flock grazes, and the shepherd blows a simple tune.” – Walter Niemann

Our thanks go to Nicolo Figowy and Steffen Herrmann for their generous loan of scores.

Walter Niemann was regarded in 1927 as “the most important living piano composer who knows how to make music from the piano in a subtle and colorful way, although he often enters the field of salon music” (H. Abert, Illustrated Music Lexicon). This most sensitive and introverted master of the piano devoted his life to composition and musical scholarship, also performing his music in concerts and radio broadcasts. Niemann’s vast output for the piano is only now starting to become more widely known. Although his style is generally unashamedly conservative, he was one of the very few German composers to explore Impressionism in music, and this also reflected a fascination with the Far East. Elsewhere, Niemann’s imagination takes us from much Baroque recreation to large-scale epic sonatas, Schumannesque miniatures and even the exploration of early jazz styles. His understanding of the capabilities of the piano was complete, and his works include both collections for young pianists and mature works that exploit the full range of pianistic effect and make significant demands on the performer.

A new CD recording has been issued by Romantic Discoveries Recordings.

Piano Music of Walter Niemann volume 5
Piano Sonata no. 3 “Elegiac”, op. 83 • From Watteau’s Era, op. 18 • The House with the Golden Scales, op. 145 • Summer night on the river, op. 45 • Messplatz – At the Fair, op. 127 (includes first recordings)
John Kersey, piano
RDR CD115

Total time: 63 minutes 45 seconds

1. Piano Sonata no. 3 in D minor, op. 83 “Elegische” (28:25)
i. Moderato e serioso ii. Scherzo fantastico – Allegro marcato iii. Aria – Un poco sostenuto e doloroso – Larghetto languido iv. Un poco Allegro, ma non troppo

2. Aus Watteau’s Zeit – Rococo-Gavotte, op. 18 (5:59)

3. Das Haus zur goldenen Waage – 1618. Miniature Suite in the olden style for piano or harpsichord, op. 145 (11:38)
i. Allemande -Poco Andantino ii. Courante – Allegro scherzando iii. Sarabande – Andante molto espressivo e tenuto iv. Gigue – Vivace
“As escort:
‘The House of the Golden Scales’ stands near the Dom in old Frankfurt and its magic fascination leads us straight back to the 17th century and shows us the dwelling house and business premises of a wealthy Dutch merchant. Such a house, indeed, may be seen in all old German towns, as symbolic of a time in which side by side with the bitter affliction of the thirty years’ war in Germany the highest mental and artistic productiveness flourished.” – Walter Niemann (The House with the Golden Scales was destroyed by Allied bombing on 22 March 1944.)

4. Sommernacht am Flusse (Barkarole), op. 45 (5:07)

5. Messplatz – At the Fair, op. 127 (12:25)
i. Bavarian Highlanders ii. The Dutch Waffle Stall iii. Sylvia, the Fortune-Teller iv. Hot Little Sausages! v. The Viennese Pony School vi. The Car Merry-Go-Round vii. Hippodrome viii. The Black Savages ix. The Palace of Illusions x. The Punch and Judy Show xi. The Silhouette Photographer xii. The Flying American Devil

Our thanks go to Nicolo Figowy and Steffen Herrmann for their generous loan of scores.

Walter Niemann was regarded in 1927 as “the most important living piano composer who knows how to make music from the piano in a subtle and colorful way, although he often enters the field of salon music” (H. Abert, Illustrated Music Lexicon). This most sensitive and introverted master of the piano devoted his life to composition and musical scholarship, also performing his music in concerts and radio broadcasts. Niemann’s vast output for the piano is only now starting to become more widely known. Although his style is generally unashamedly conservative, he was one of the very few German composers to explore Impressionism in music, and this also reflected a fascination with the Far East. Elsewhere, Niemann’s imagination takes us from much Baroque recreation to large-scale epic sonatas, Schumannesque miniatures and even the exploration of early jazz styles. His understanding of the capabilities of the piano was complete, and his works include both collections for young pianists and mature works that exploit the full range of pianistic effect and make significant demands on the performer.

A new CD recording has been issued by Romantic Discoveries Recordings.

Piano Music of Walter Niemann volume 4
The White House, op. 80 • Piano Sonata no. 4 “Franconian”, op. 88 • Little variations on an old Irish folk song, op. 146 • The Cheery Music-Master, op. 123 (includes first recordings)
John Kersey, piano
RDR CD114

Total time: 66 minutes 13 seconds

1. Das weisse Haus (Herman Bang) a cycle of twelve small character pieces for piano, op. 80 (23:56)
Spring: i. Once upon a time…ii. Childrens’ games in the garden iii. The girl with the golden hair || Summer: iv. The old aunts come to visit v. Summer evening vi. Roses in the garden house || Autumn: vii. Last escort viii. The grape harvest ix. Ghosts || Winter: x. Shepherds’ music for Christmas xi. Winter twilight xii. Puppet theatre
“Weisses Haus, du weisses Haus meiner Kindheit” – Herman Bang

2. Kleine Sonate (Piano Sonata no. 4, “Fränkische”), op. 88 (15:29)
i. Amabile, ma moderato con moto (In deutscher Waldesseligkeit) ii. Tempo di Minuetto lento ed un poco solenne iii. Vivo e giocoso

3. Little Variations on an old Irish folk song (Lilliburlero by Henry Purcell (1659-95)), op. 146 (5:52)

4. Der Lustige Musikmeister, 23* Kinderstücke in progressive order, op. 123 (20:48)
i. The ice cream seller ii. The policeman directs the traffic iii. Crash! There lies the soup-tureen iv. Happy Anna v. Baby learns to walk vi. Pietro plays the bagpipe vii. Weekend in the country viii. The male-voice quartet sings a serenade for Father ix. School is out! x. The little flower-sellers xi. Annemarie’s new hat xii. The little lift boy xiii. Let’s play “Visitors”! xiv. Uncle Theo repairs his car xv. The first cigarette xvi. Come, give me a swing! xvii. Susanna learns the Tango xviii. Console me! xix. Who will win the race? xx. The bath on Saturday night xxi. The two clowns xxii. The scamp xxiii. The neon signs
*The cycle formerly consisted of 24 pieces, however the New Edition of 1939 omitted the original fourteenth piece.

Our thanks go to Nicolo Figowy and Steffen Herrmann for their generous loan of scores.

Walter Niemann was regarded in 1927 as “the most important living piano composer who knows how to make music from the piano in a subtle and colorful way, although he often enters the field of salon music” (H. Abert, Illustrated Music Lexicon). This most sensitive and introverted master of the piano devoted his life to composition and musical scholarship, also performing his music in concerts and radio broadcasts. Niemann’s vast output for the piano is only now starting to become more widely known. Although his style is generally unashamedly conservative, he was one of the very few German composers to explore Impressionism in music, and this also reflected a fascination with the Far East. Elsewhere, Niemann’s imagination takes us from much Baroque recreation to large-scale epic sonatas, Schumannesque miniatures and even the exploration of early jazz styles. His understanding of the capabilities of the piano was complete, and his works include both collections for young pianists and mature works that exploit the full range of pianistic effect and make significant demands on the performer.

A new CD recording has been issued by Romantic Discoveries Recordings

Piano Music of Walter Niemann volume 3
Hamburg, op. 107 • Variations on a Sarabande by Froberger, op. 168 • Fantasies in the Bremen Ratskeller, op. 113 (includes first recordings)
John Kersey, piano
RDR CD113

Total time: 73 minutes 43 seconds

1. Hamburg – a cycle of thirteen character-pieces, op. 107 (34:55)
i. The Harbour – Forging in the Dockyard ii. Ghosts – Night on the Fleet iii. The Old Home – Once upon a time… iv. A Dispute – between three stockbrokers v. Sailors – Norwegians weighing anchor vi. A.D. 1600 – The Pavan of His Reverence the Senator vii. Brahms – The house where he was born viii. Old Michael – St. Michael’s Church ix. A Barrel Organ – grotesquely out of tune x. The Lantern – Childrens’ dance xi. St. Pauli – Tango xii. Moonlight – on the Alster xiii. Hymn – Outlook
“This work is not only intended to appeal to people born and bred in Hamburg, nor to those well acquainted with the place, but also to any others who can appreciate an attempt at a “Characteristic Picture” of a large City, such as Hamburg, through the medium of a musical composition. The term “Characteristic Picture” describes at once the design and form of the work, which consists of a series of pieces chosen with an eye to their suitability to express, as nearly as is possible in music, the character of Hamburg’s manifold beauties, its great historic and artistic past, and some of its artistic features, or as we used to say: with a view to topography, history and folklore. The Composer’s aim was to produce as homogeneous a musical portrayal of Hamburg life as possible, and he hopes that, since love for his native city guided his pen, he may to some extent have succeeded in his purpose.” – Walter Niemann, Foreword

2. Variations on a Sarabande by Johann Jacob Froberger (1616-67), op. 168 (11:42)

3. Phantasien im Bremer Ratskeller, a cycle after Wilhelm Hauff, op 113 (27:01)
i. Ill Humour ii. Rainy Night iii. Bacchus’ Procession iv. Old Rose’s Saraband (about 1600) v. Roland the Giant vi. Old Song (about 1500) vii. The Twelve Apostles viii. How the Devil takes the Old Cellarer ix. The Morning (The Awakening – It is striking six – Finale)

Our thanks go to Nicolo Figowy and Steffen Herrmann for their generous loan of scores.

Walter Niemann was regarded in 1927 as “the most important living piano composer who knows how to make music from the piano in a subtle and colorful way, although he often enters the field of salon music” (H. Abert, Illustrated Music Lexicon). This most sensitive and introverted master of the piano devoted his life to composition and musical scholarship, also performing his music in concerts and radio broadcasts. Niemann’s vast output for the piano is only now starting to become more widely known. Although his style is generally unashamedly conservative, he was one of the very few German composers to explore Impressionism in music, and this also reflected a fascination with the Far East. Elsewhere, Niemann’s imagination takes us from much Baroque recreation to large-scale epic sonatas, Schumannesque miniatures and even the exploration of early jazz styles. His understanding of the capabilities of the piano was complete, and his works include both collections for young pianists and mature works that exploit the full range of pianistic effect and make significant demands on the performer.

A new CD recording has been issued by Romantic Discoveries Recordings

Piano Music of Walter Niemann volume 2
Pompeii, op. 48 • Suite after words by Hermann Hesse, op. 71 • The Magic Book, op. 92 (includes first recordings)
John Kersey, piano
RDR CD112

Total time: 68 minutes 36 seconds

1. Pompeji – ten piano pieces, op 48 (25:11)
i. Bright Summer Morning – Prelude ii. The Egyptian Priests go to the Temple of Isis – Solemn March iii. Cupid and the Butterfly – Scherzino iv. Roses for the Beloved – Romanze v. A Sicilian tells the Fishermen Fairy Tales – Intermezzo vi. Pastoral Poem – Eclogue vii. The Saga (Witch) of Vesuvius – Ballade viii. Evening on the Campanian Sea – Barcarolle ix. Dance of the Nereids x. Before the Statue of the Sphinx – Nocturne

2. Suite after words by Hermann Hesse, op 71 (new, revised edition) (16:52)
i. Präludium – Un poco vivace ii. Scherzino – Vivacissimo iii. Arietta – Poco Adagio iv. In moto perpetuo – Vivo, ma non troppo
“From the lighted windows of the garden house came piano music. It flowed weakly, muffled, through the red curtains of the open windows, together with the warm glow of the lights, and flew joyfully and lightly over the wide stone steps of the park entrance, over roses and jasmine. Becoming very light and quiet, the graceful music flew sideways through the twilight roundabout and over the park paths into the deeper darkness of the beech thicket. There the yellowest bars with the fluttering last waves of the floral scent scattered gently and swaying apart, lost themselves in the blackness of the massive foliage, in the mildly transparent blue moon of the sky, in the loose, undisturbed, swaying calm of the warm night.” Hermann Hesse, June Night.

3. Das Magische Buch; six phantasmagoria, op. 92 (26:28)
i. Kolibri – Hummingbird ii. The Coral Tree iii. On the banks of the Sacred Ganges iv. Caravan in the Desert v. Sacred Dance in Elysium vi. The Silver Cascade

Our thanks go to Nicolo Figowy and Steffen Herrmann for their generous loan of scores.

Walter Niemann was regarded in 1927 as “the most important living piano composer who knows how to make music from the piano in a subtle and colorful way, although he often enters the field of salon music” (H. Abert, Illustrated Music Lexicon). This most sensitive and introverted master of the piano devoted his life to composition and musical scholarship, also performing his music in concerts and radio broadcasts. Niemann’s vast output for the piano is only now starting to become more widely known. Although his style is generally unashamedly conservative, he was one of the very few German composers to explore Impressionism in music, and this also reflected a fascination with the Far East. Elsewhere, Niemann’s imagination takes us from much Baroque recreation to large-scale epic sonatas, Schumannesque miniatures and even the exploration of early jazz styles. His understanding of the capabilities of the piano was complete, and his works include both collections for young pianists and mature works that exploit the full range of pianistic effect and make significant demands on the performer.