For Your Listening Consideration

For Your Listening Consideration presents three uniquely transformative recordings that bridge centuries of musical heritage while charting new artistic directions. Thomas de Hartmann – Rediscovered spotlights the Ukrainian-born composer’s visionary oeuvre, long eclipsed by his collaborations with G. I. Gurdjieff, while Anthony de Mare – Liaisons: Re-Imagining Sondheim from the Piano unites Broadway and contemporary classical idioms through commissioned reinventions of Stephen Sondheim’s iconic melodies. Completing this eclectic triptych is David Kaplan – New Dances of the League of David, a deft interplay of Schumann’s Romantic gestures with modern miniatures that revitalizes the spirit of the storied Davidsbund. Each album offers a fresh perspective on beloved repertoire. By transcending traditional boundaries, they reshape the listener’s understanding of past and present.

Thomas de Hartmann – Rediscovered
Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube.



Thomas de Hartmann, the Ukrainian-born composer and pianist often overshadowed by the towering figures of early 20th-century music, is experiencing a long-overdue renaissance with the release of Thomas de Hartmann – Rediscovered. A close associate of the spiritual philosopher G. I. Gurdjieff, de Hartmann is best known for co-authoring an extensive repertoire of piano works that merged Russian Romanticism with a distinctly modern sensibility. Yet beyond these collaborative efforts lies a body of solo compositions that deftly bridges the austere beauty of Russian classical traditions and an understated, forward-looking harmonic language, revealing a composer of remarkable depth and versatility.

Thomas de Hartmann – Rediscovered stands as a testament to the composer’s enduring creative genius and unwavering commitment to structural integrity. Through his luminous piano miniatures and sweeping orchestral pieces, de Hartmann demonstrates a meticulous attention to form—each work, while self-contained, converges into a cohesive narrative that highlights his richly nuanced musical voice. This disciplined yet imaginative approach offers a compelling parallel to more contemporary composers who, like de Hartmann, see the past not as a constraint but as a springboard for exploration. In doing so, the newly unearthed recordings invite listeners to witness a visionary force whose breadth of expression feels at once timeless and vividly relevant, underscoring de Hartmann’s rightful place in the pantheon of innovative musical thinkers.

Anthony de Mare – Liaisons: Re-Imagining Sondheim from the Piano
Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube.



Anthony de Mare’s Liaisons: Re-Imagining Sondheim from the Piano offers a vibrant intersection of Broadway and contemporary classical traditions, spotlighting Stephen Sondheim’s iconic melodies through the lens of over three dozen leading composers. Much like the Labèque sisters’ immersive Cocteau Trilogy recital we wrote about last week, de Mare’s project explores the interplay between original material and inventive adaptation, revealing new textures and harmonic contours within Sondheim’s theatrical framework. Each reimagined piece retains the lyrical spirit and emotional potency of the source while simultaneously embracing the distinct stylistic signatures of composers such as David Rakowski, Nico Muhly, and Steve Reich.

While the infusion of modern compositional techniques could have threatened to overshadow Sondheim’s melodic clarity, de Mare’s deft pianism ensures the essence of each tune remains intact, even as he navigates every unexpected dissonance and rhythmic shift. These arrangements form a tapestry that testifies to the enduring resonance of Sondheim’s work, underscored by de Mare’s meticulous curation and interpretive finesse. The result is a project that not only broadens the boundaries of theatrical repertoire but also illuminates the far-reaching influence of a composer whose craft continues to inspire new musical explorations.

David Kaplan – New Dances of the League of David
Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube.



David Kaplan’s New Dances of the League of David offers a bold reimagining of Robert Schumann’s storied “Davidsbund,” blending newly composed works with select Schumann originals to forge a dialogue between past and present. True to the spirit of Schumann’s literary-musical society—where composers and ideas intersected in spirited conversation—Kaplan curates a program that embodies both Romantic introspection and contemporary experimentation. His deft pianism, at once refined and daring, ensures that each piece, whether an affectionate homage or a cutting-edge exploration, retains its distinctive character within the overarching framework.

Particularly compelling is Kaplan’s interpretation of Schumann’s “Davidsbündlertänze” interwoven with modern miniatures—an approach that accentuates the timeless vibrancy of Schumann’s writing while granting the newer compositions a historical anchor. A highlight emerges in the fluid interplay between understated, intimate passages and more extroverted flourishes, revealing Kaplan’s skill at articulating subtle contrasts. New Dances of the League of David showcases his imaginative programming and interpretive command, offering a fresh perspective on a classic concept that resonates with modern audiences.