Gerhard Wohlgemuth

Sextett

Gerhard Wohlgemuth (1920-2001) initially took up medical studies, which were interrupted by the Second World War, but decided to pursue a career in music following the success of his Concertino for Piano and Orchestra (1948). In addition to composing, he worked in broadcasting and as a music publishing editor, including for Edition Peters Leipzig. He was co-founder and long-time board member of the East German Composers Association. His Sextet for two violins, viola, cello, double bass and piano follows a traditional four-movement model and was written in 1955. Throughout its long and eventful history, Edition Peters has consistently sought to support contemporary music, making it accessible in high-quality scores. The years in which Germany, and the publishing house itself, were divided between East and West form an important chapter in the company's story. The output of composers from the East German firm - then known as VEB Edition Peters, Leipzig - forms a unique and valuable part of the company's identity and, more widely, of European cultural history. Their works are compositionally and aesthetically diverse, while sharing a communicative creative drive. The artistic independence of the music created in East Germany between 1949 and 1990 makes this repertoire well worth rediscovering.