Klagegesang

Karl Amadeus Hartmann dedicated his Klagegesang from 1944 to the government critic and member of the resistance Robert Havemann. By applying the ritornello principle, five strongly contrasting movements merge into a seamless sequence. This gradually building continuity can also be found in the first movements of the Trompetenkonzert and in Sympho nische Hymnen. Despite all fears and sorrows, a bright Db major at the end of the piece shows Hartmann’s confidence to see his imprisoned friend again. The composer used parts of the Klagegesang for his 3. Symphonie before the original version was published and premiered in 1990 as a work of its own