“Symphonische Dichtung für Orchester” [“Symphonic poem for orchestra”]
Meinen Freunden, die hundertfach sterben mußten, die für die Ewigkeit schlafen – wir vergessen Euch nicht (Dachau, 1933–34) [“To my friends who had to die a hundredfold, who sleep for eternity – we do not forget you (Dachau, 1933-34)”]
Performance duration: 15′
First performance: September 2, 1935; 13th International Music Festival of the IGNM in Prague (Hermann Scherchen)
for orchestra
Commissioned by the Westdeutscher Rundfunk
Karl O. Koch und Dr. Eigel Kruttge herzlichst zugeeignet [“Cordially dedicated to Karl O. Koch and Dr. Eigel Kruttge”]
I Cantilene
II Dithyrambe: Scherzo – Fuge
Performance duration: 25′
First performance: January 25, 1963, Cologne, Kölner Rundfunk-Sinfonie-Orchester (Conductor: Rafael Kubelík)
for large orchestra
comissioned by the Serge Koussevitzky Music Foundation in the Library of Congress
dedicated to the memory of Serge and Natalie Koussevitzky
Version A
I Introduktion und Allegro Fugato
II Adagio und Scherzo virtuoso – Finale (Scherzo virtuoso)
III Finale – Introduktion und Finale Fugato
Version B
1. Teil [“1st Part”]: Introduktion und Ricercare
2. Teil [“2nd Part”]: Adagio mesto – Finale: Scherzoso virtuoso
Performance duration: 30′
First performance: March 15, 1959, Hamburg, Symphonieorchester des NDR (Conductor: Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt)
for large orchestra
Diese Symphonie wurde im Auftrag vom Bayerischen Rundfunk für Herrn Prof. Eugen Jochum geschrieben. [“This symphony was commissioned by the Bayerischer Rundfunk for Prof. Eugen Jochum.”]
Originally symphony “L’Œuvre” (1937/38; also “Esquisses symphoniques”) based on the novel by Émile Zola – revision, reversal of the order of movements and new composition of the toccata (1951/53)
I Adagio
II Toccata variata
Performance duration: 27′
First performance: April 24, 1953, musica viva, Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks (Conductor: Eugen Jochum)
for orchestra
Die Symphonie wurde im Auftrag des Süddeutschen Rundfunks geschrieben und ist seinem Leiter Herrn Müller-Kray gewidmet [“The symphony was commissioned by the Süddeutscher Rundfunk and is dedicated to its director Mr Müller-Kray”]
first “Concertino for trumpet with seven solo instruments” (1932/33), then reworked into the “Concerto for wind ensemble, double basses and two solo trumpets” (1949), final version (1950)
I Toccata
II Melodie (Hommage à Strawinsky)
III Rondo
Performance duration: 20′
First performance: April, 21 1961, Stuttgart, Radio-Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart (Conductor: Hans Müller-Kray)
for large orchestra
Die Symphonie wurde im Auftrag von Radio München geschrieben und ist seinem Intendanten Herrn Rudolf von Scholtz gewidmet [“The symphony was commissioned by Radio München and is dedicated to its artistic director Rudolf von Scholtz”]
1st movement (Largo/Allegro) based on the 1st and 5th movement of the symphony “Klagegesang (1944/45), 2nd movement (Adagio) based on the 1st movement of “Sinfonia tragica (1940/43)
I Largo ma non troppo – Allegro con fuoco (virtuose Fuge) [“virtuoso fugue”]
II Adagio
Performance duration: 35′
First performance: November 17, 1950, musica viva, Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks (Conductor: Erich Schmid)
for string orchestra
Rolf Liebermann
Originally “Symphony for string orchestra and one soprano voice” (1938), beginning of the reworking and new composition of the instrumental finale (1946/47)
I Lento assai – con passione
II Allegro di molto, risoluto
III Adagio appassionato
Performance duration: 35′
First performance: April 2, 1948, Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks (Conductor: Hans Rosbaud)
for large orchestra
mein Adagio (Symphonie 2) widme ich Herrn Paul Collaer, Brüssel – dem großen Musiker und wunderbaren Menschen [“I dedicate my Adagio (Symphony 2) to Mr Paul Collaer, Brussels – the great musician and wonderful person”] (Karl Amadeus Hartmann, 1949)
Originally part of the symphonic suite “Vita nova” for orchestra and speaker (1943), reworked as Symphony No. 2 (1945/46)
Performance duration: 17′
First performance: September, 10 1950, Donaueschingen, Symphonieorchester des Südwestfunks (Conductor: Hans Rosbaud)
for large orchestra
für Robert Havemann, Berlin
auch Sie, lieber Freund, haben für die Freiheit gekämpft und mußten dafür leiden. 1944 [“for Robert Havemann, Berlin
You too, dear friend, have fought and suffered for freedom. 1944”]
1st and 5th movement used as a model for the Symphony No. 3 (1st movement), since 1990 as an independent work in its original version
I Adagio
II Andante pastorale
III Allegro assai
IV Non troppo lento
V Fugato
Performance duration: 25′
First performance: May 11, 1990, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (Conductor: Lorin Maazel)
for orchestra and speaker
3rd part of the symphonic triptych “Sinfoniae Dramaticae” (1941–1943)
Preserved movements: Adagio (in revised version as Symphony No. 2, 1948/49) and the final movement (rediscovered in 1986/87)