Harald Genzmer

Character Pieces GeWV 131

Harald Genzmer has done a lot for the work with young musicians, and many a string player can recall school orchestra days when Sinfonietta was on the programme quite often. But the probably best-known pupil of Hindemith has written far more of such educational music: all in all, 3 sinfoniettas, apart from collections of simple settings like the eleven Character Pieces for String Orchestra from 1998. They are expressive, entirely songlike miniatures, livened up by two rousing pieces and a pizzicato setting.The pieces can either be played separately or put together into little suites and are ideally suited for school, hobby and amateur orchestras. And despite all educational intentions: It is enjoyable and lively music which is fun to play.