Work of the Week – Karl Amadeus Hartmann: Symphony No. 3

By Christopher Peter
10 Feb 2025

A black-and-white portrait of composer Karl Amadeus Hartmann with a blurred orchestra in the background. His serious expression reflects his intense musical personality.

Music as Resistance: Karl Amadeus Hartmann’s Symphony No. 3 will be performed in February 2025 in Mannheim, Freiburg, and Stuttgart. The SWR Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Ingo Metzmacher, will present this powerful work on February 13 and 14 in Stuttgart, February 20 in Freiburg im Breisgau, and February 21 in Mannheim. This symphony stands as a musical testament to a composer who used his music as a form of political resistance and a means of reflecting on Germany’s past after World War II.

Between Mourning and Healing

Karl Amadeus Hartmann (1905–1963) is considered one of the most significant German composers of the 20th century. His Symphony No. 3 was composed in the aftermath of World War II, during a period of transition and reflection. Hartmann remained in Germany during the Nazi era but refused to have his works performed under the regime. Many of his compositions, including this symphony, were only premiered after 1945.

The Symphony No. 3 is deeply influenced by Hartmann’s earlier compositions, particularly his Concerto funebre. It carries a profound sense of loss and resistance, reflecting both personal and collective trauma. Musically, Hartmann’s symphony blends late-Romantic orchestration with elements of Expressionism and sharp rhythmic contrasts. Influences from Gustav Mahler, Arnold Schoenberg, and Dmitri Shostakovich can be heard, yet Hartmann’s unique voice emerges through his balance of intensity, sorrow, and a glimmer of hope.

A Symphonic Cycle That Reflects a Century

Hartmann’s eight symphonies form a deeply personal and politically engaged musical journey. His First Symphony, "Attempt at a Requiem" (1935–36), set texts by Walt Whitman in a powerful anti-fascist statement. His Second Symphony, written immediately after the war, reflects the devastation of that time. The Third Symphony, now in focus, carries the weight of history while pushing toward renewal. The Fourth Symphony for Strings adopts a more transparent, chamber-like orchestration, while the Fifth Symphony, "Sinfonia concertante," explores a more virtuosic and soloistic form. The Sixth Symphony returns to dark and expressive textures, the Seventh Symphony delivers a grand and dramatic vision, and his Eighth Symphony, his final one, presents a clear, almost resigned outlook on the world.

Each of these symphonies tells a story—of resistance, reflection, and a quest for artistic truth. Through this cycle, Hartmann left behind a symphonic legacy that remains profoundly moving and relevant today.

A Work That Demands to Be Heard

The Third Symphony is a central part of this symphonic journey. Its gripping orchestration, striking contrasts, and emotional depth make it one of the most impactful German symphonies of the post-war era. Even nearly 80 years after its composition, its urgency and relevance remain as strong as ever.

Experience Hartmann’s Symphony No. 3 live with the SWR Symphony Orchestra under Ingo Metzmacher—an invitation to rediscover one of the 20th century’s most compelling composers.

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