TESTIMONIES OF WAR 1914 – 1945 (1995)

Abstract

This essay appeared as the introduction to the very fully documented booklet notes of the 2-CD set, LARGO 5130, issued in 1995 – for the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II – by Largo Records (Cologne) as Testimonies of War (Kriegszeugnisse) 1914–45. The central composer of this collection is Boris Blacher, who is represented by his Alla Marcia, Dance Scenes, Chiarina, Partita for strings and 6 percussion, Sonatina No. 2 for piano, and Drei Psalmen for baritone and piano. The other composers are Harrington Shortall (Fanfare for Those who Will Not Return), Kurt Weill (Zu Potsdam unter den Eichen and Choral-Fantasie), Berthold Goldschmidt (Zwei Psalmen for tenor and strings), Darius Milhaud (Chorale for piano) and Vaughan Williams (Valiant-for-Truth).