Hans Winterberg

Suite

After moving to Munich in 1947, Hans Winterberg made contact with German musical life, primarily with the help of former friends from his student days in Prague, such as Fritz Rieger, the chief conductor of the Munich Philharmonic, who encouraged him and arranged contacts. Rieger brought him together with Carl Weymar, the viola-playing director of the Bachwochen in Ansbach, to whom Winterberg dedicated his Suite for viola and piano. Originally conceived for viola and harp, he eventually rewrote the accompaniment part for piano due to too many complicated pedal changes. The suite is – perhaps also due to the original accompanying instrument – the "impressionistic“ of Winterberg's chamber music works, a little gem that brings out the magical and mysterious character of the viola in the most beautiful way.