Das Buch der Klänge - Otte, Hans; Henck, Herbert (Munich ECM, 1999)
Herbert Henck's campaign for recognition for undervalued 20th century composers continues with this salute to the German composer Hans Otte. Henck here celebrates Otte's "Book of Sounds" as "one of the most remarkable creations in contemporary piano music, a work which has lost none of its beauty, innocence and power in the 20 years since it was written". Essentially contemplative, it "lets sounds be sounds" as John Cage said, and gives them room to breathe. Withdrawal, transparency and austerity are the hallmarks of this music.
Keywords: 20th Century (1901-2000); Keyboard music; Germany