Ingolf Turban peforms four works for solo violin by Karl Amadeus Hartmann (1905–1963) that were published posthumously by his estate in 1986/88, compositions in the tradition of Bach, Reger, Hindemith and Bartók. These are early works by the German composer, one of the most important proponents of contemporary music of his time. Hartmann’s eight monumental symphonies, his opera Simplicius Simplicissimus, his instrumental concertos and his chamber music are introverted masterpieces in which he (a student of Webern’s, by the way) developed his own, unique musical language.

Moreover, his founding and direction of the Musica Viva series in Munich prepared the way for everything modern after 1945, whether Boulez, Nono or Henze. The Solo Sonatas and Suites for Violin were composed by the 22 year old musician in 1927. They provide testimony of his early mastery, daring in every measure and yet clearly based on the foundation of tradition. There is nothing of passing fashions or modes in his music, and yet it was (and is) thoroughly modern.