A Musical Bridge: Viviane Hagner announces her new recording of Tansman and Bruch

News | March 18, 2026

by Viviane Hagner, member of the Platform Artistic Committee

I’m delighted to share my newly released recording, a project that has been especially close to my heart.

Last summer, I had the privilege of working with the Poznań Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Łukasz Borowicz to record a program centered on the violin works of Aleksandre Tansman and Max Bruch. The album brings together their violin concertos, alongside Tansman’s Five Pieces and Bruch’s Kol Nidrei. Notably, Kol Nidrei is presented here in its rarely performed, yet composer-approved version for violin, rather than the far more familiar version for cello.

At first glance, Tansman and Bruch seem to belong to very different musical worlds. Bruch stands firmly within the German Romantic tradition, while Tansman’s voice was shaped by a wide range of influences and experiences across Europe. Yet, as I explored their works more deeply, I became increasingly aware of subtle and fascinating connections between them.

Both composers share a profound gift for lyrical and expressive violin writing. Another important link is their engagement with Jewish musical traditions. While Bruch incorporates a traditional Jewish liturgical melody in „Kol Nidrei“, evoking the timeless ritual of a prayer, Tansman’s music – particularly in the second movement of his violin concerto- offers a more modern, inward response: a reflection of that same tradition refracted through the lens of a modern, cosmopolitan sensibility.

There is also a geographical and historical thread connecting them. Bruch spent part of his career working in Breslau, now Wrocław, while Tansman was born in Poland before establishing an international career. These overlapping cultural landscapes resonate strongly with me, particularly through my long-standing involvement as Artistic Director of “Krzyżowa Music,” a festival dedicated to dialogue and connection across borders.

For me, this recording is more than a collection of works—it is an attempt to build a musical bridge between Germany and Poland, between different traditions, and between past and present. It reflects not only the richness of the repertoire, but also the spirit of collaboration and shared cultural heritage that continues to inspire me as a musician.

I hope this recording invites listeners to discover, or rediscover, these remarkable works and the meaningful connections that unite them.

Listen here: https://lnk.to/ACC30686