The 90's have been very good for JPE Hartmann.  His violin sonatas,
symphonies, and overtures have been recorded on Dacapo.  Within the past
two months, Dacapo released the opera 'Liden Kirsten', and now another
of his operas, 'Valkyrien', has been released by CPO.

I obtained the above works within the past year except for 'Valkyrien'
which I have on order.  Hartmann has been a great discovery for me.  His
music is very well crafted with delicious melodies that always appeal to
me.  Is his music distinctive? Not uniformly, but there are passages that
I'm starting to recognize as possessing the Hartmann stamp.  Just listen
to the overture to 'Liden Kirsten' - very unusual and compelling music.

My main reason for this post, aside from enthusing about Hartmann, is to
provide some comments about the tendency of a few list members to tout the
view that only masterpieces are worthwhile.  There are so many rewarding
composers and works that I have encountered by being "open" to the new and
obscure.  This has enriched my musical life and the overall quality of my
existence.

Don Satz
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