Born in Munich, where he became a composition pupil of Joseph Haas, Karl Amadeus Hartmann went on to study with Hermann Scherchen, and later with Anton Webern in Vienna. His career was interrupted by the Second World War, resuming with works that helped to establish his international reputation. His Musica Viva concert series in Munich did much to bring the work of younger composers and performers to public attention.

Vocal and Instrumental Music

Hartmann left eight symphonies and a number of concertos, two string quartets, vocal and chamber works. He composed his Sonata ‘27 April 1945’ shortly after the self-imposed virtual silence of the war years. The title refers to his sight of prisoners from the concentration camp of Dachau.