Jeroen Van Veen - Gurdjieff / De Hartmann: Complete Music for the Piano (2021)

The most complete single collection of the Eastern-inflected hymns, songs and dances for piano composed jointly by a pair of mystic ‘seekers after truth’ and notable forerunners of the Minimalist school of composers.

The Ukrainian composer Thomas De Hartmann (1885-1956) had undertaken a classic musical training with Anton Arensky and then Nikolai Taneyev before the death of his mother in 1912 prompted him to begin searching for a spiritual teacher. Four years later he made the encounter that would change his life, with the Armenian philosopher and mystic George Gurdjieff (1877-1949). Gurdjieff had his own musical training, as well as a sharp ear and retentive memory for the folk melodies which he heard on his long travels through central Asia and the middle East. De Hartmann and his wife joined Gurdjieff’s circle of followers, and the two men began to write music to accompany their spiritual exercises.
This body of music eventually amounted to around 300 short pieces, of which the indefatigable Jeroen van Veen has recorded the entire published corpus of 170 divided into four volumes. During lockdown he found himself with the time to immerse himself in this music, which ranges across Asian, Arabic and European systems of rhythm, harmony and tuning, so that he could capture its perfumed mysticism and improvisational character.

There are solemn hymns of an Orthodox nobility, atmospheric tone poems such as the ‘Night Procession’, freely pianistic transcriptions of melodies from early-Christian sects such as the Essenes, modal-pentatonic melodies to accompany a ‘Sacred Reading from the Koran’ and to aid an awakening of consciousness in an elevated state of awareness, and then pieces simply titled after their date of composition. While overall meditative in mood, there is a tremendous variety to the Gurdjieff/De Hartmann collection, and Jeroen van Veen’s new recording is an ideally comprehensive way to dive into its riches.,,

Tracklist
001. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 1st Series: I. Greek Melody
002. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 1st Series: II. Greek Round Dance
003. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 1st Series: III. Greek Song
004. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 1st Series: IV. Kurd Melody for 2 Flutes
005. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 1st Series: V. Oriental Song
006. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 1st Series: VI. Persian Song
007. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 1st Series: VII. Atarnakh, Kurd Song
008. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 1st Series: VIII. Tibetan Melody
009. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 1st Series: IX. Marche Alerte
010. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 1st Series: X. Lento, Quasi Recitativo
011. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 1st Series: XI. Andante Con Moto
012. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 1st Series: XII. 15 XII
013. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 1st Series: XIII. Duduki
014. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 1st Series: XIV. 13 X
015. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 1st Series: XV. Armenian Melody
016. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 1st Series: XVI. Song of the Molokans
017. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 1st Series: XVII. Kurd Shepherd Melody
018. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 2nd Series: I. Song of the Aïsors
019. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 2nd Series: II. Kurd Shepherd's Dance
020. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 2nd Series: III. Song of the Fisherwomen
021. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 2nd Series: IV. Allegretto
022. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 2nd Series: V. 29 XII
023. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 2nd Series: VI. Mamasha
024. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 2nd Series: VII. Persian Dance
025. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 2nd Series: VIII. Song of Ancient Rome
026. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 2nd Series: IX. 07 XII
027. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 2nd Series: X. Armenian Song
028. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 2nd Series: XI. Poco Marciale
029. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 2nd Series: XII. Ancient Greek Melody
030. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 2nd Series: XIII. Long Ago in Mikhaïlov
031. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 2nd Series: XIV. Oriental Melody
032. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 2nd Series: XV. Assyrian Women Mourners
033. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 3th Series: I. Kurd Melody from Isfahan
034. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 3th Series: II. Hindu Melody
035. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 3th Series: III. 22 X
036. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 3th Series: IV. Armenian Song
037. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 3th Series: V. Greek Melody
038. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 3th Series: VI. Afghan Melody
039. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 3th Series: VII. Moderato
040. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 3th Series: VIII. C.1923/1924
041. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 3th Series: IX. Kurd Melody
042. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 3th Series: X. Ancient Greek Melody
043. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 3th Series: XI. Ancient Greek Dance
044. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 3th Series: XII. Greek Song
045. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 3th Series: XIII. Arabian Dance
046. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 3th Series: XIV. Greek Melody
047. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 3th Series: XV. 8 XI
048. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 3th Series: XVI. Tibetan Masques No. 1
049. Vol. I, Asian Songs and Rhythms, 3th Series: XVII. Tibetan Masques No. 2
050. Vol. II, Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes, 1st Series: I. Sayyid Chant and Dance
051. Vol. II, Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes, 1st Series: II. For Professor Skridlov
052. Vol. II, Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes, 1st Series: III. Sayyid Chant and Dance
053. Vol. II, Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes, 1st Series: IV. 10 IX
054. Vol. II, Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes, 1st Series: V. Dervish Dance
055. Vol. II, Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes, 1st Series: VI. Persian Dervish
056. Vol. II, Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes, 1st Series: VII. Dervish Chant and Dance
057. Vol. II, Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes, 1st Series: VIII. Sayyid Chant and Dance in A Minor
058. Vol. II, Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes, 1st Series: IX. Sayyid Chant and Dance in D Minor
059. Vol. II, Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes, 1st Series: X. Sayyid Chant and Dance in G Minor
060. Vol. II, Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes, 1st Series: XI. 13 X
061. Vol. II, Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes, 1st Series: XII. Sayyid Chant and Dance in D Minor
062. Vol. II, Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes, 1st Series: XIII. 29 IX
063. Vol. II, Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes, 1st Series: IX. Dervish Dance
064. Vol. II, Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes, 1st Series: X. Sayyid Chant
065. Vol. II, Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes, 2nd Series: I. Persian Dervish
066. Vol. II, Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes, 2nd Series: II. Dervish Dance
067. Vol. II, Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes, 2nd Series: III. 22 III
068. Vol. II, Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes, 2nd Series: IV. Sayyid Chant and Dance in D Minor
069. Vol. II, Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes, 2nd Series: V. 01 I
070. Vol. II, Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes, 2nd Series: VI. Sayyid Dance in G Minor
071. Vol. II, Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes, 2nd Series: VII. Sayyid Dance in B Minor
072. Vol. II, Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes, 2nd Series: VIII. Sayyid Chant and Dance in G Minor
073. Vol. II, Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes, 2nd Series: IX. 01 V
074. Vol. II, Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes, 2nd Series: X. Sayyid Chant and Dance in C Major
075. Vol. II, Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes, 2nd Series: XI. Sayyid Dance in F Minor
076. Vol. II, Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes, 2nd Series: XII. Dervish Dance
077. Vol. II, Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes, 2nd Series: XIII. Moorisch Dance
078. Vol. II, Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes, 3th Series: I. Sayyid Chant and Dance in A Minor
079. Vol. II, Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes, 3th Series: II. Sayyid Chant and Dance in D Minor
080. Vol. II, Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes, 3th Series: III. Sayyid Dance
081. Vol. II, Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes, 3th Series: IV. Katzapsky Song
082. Vol. II, Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes, 3th Series: V. Sayyid Dance
083. Vol. II, Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes, 3th Series: VI. Sayyid Chant and Dance
084. Vol. II, Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes, 3th Series: VII. Bayaty
085. Vol. II, Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes, 3th Series: VIII. Dervish Dance
086. Vol. II, Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes, 3th Series: IX. 01 IV
087. Vol. II, Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes, 3th Series: X. Caucasian Dance
088. Vol. II, Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes, 3th Series: XI. Kurdo-Greek Melody
089. Vol. II, Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes, 3th Series: X. Kurdish Song
090. Vol. II, Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes, 3th Series: XI. Sayyid Chant and Dance in A Minor
091. Vol. II, Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes, 3th Series: Sayyid Chant and Dance in C Minor
092. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 1st Series: I. Prayer
093. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 1st Series: II. 31 X
094. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 1st Series: III. Pity for One's Self
095. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 1st Series: IV. Laudamus
096. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 1st Series: V. 23 X
097. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 1st Series: VI. 22 III
098. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 1st Series: VII. 02 I
099. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 1st Series: VIII. 06 I
100. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 1st Series: IX. Poco Vivace
101. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 1st Series: X. Hymn for Christmas Day No. 1
102. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 1st Series: XI. Molto Lento E Liberamente
103. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 1st Series: XII. Andantino
104. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 1st Series: XIII. Joyous Hymn
105. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 1st Series: IX. As If the Stormy Years Had Passed
106. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 1st Series: X. Rejoice, Beelzebub!
107. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 1st Series: XI. Prayer for Mercy
108. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 1st Series: XII. Holy Affirming, Holy Denying, Holy Reconciling
109. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 1st Series: XIII. Orthodox Hymn for a Midnight Service
110. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 2nd Series: I. Reading from a Sacred Book
111. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 2nd Series: II. Prayer and Despair
112. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 2nd Series: III. Religious Ceremony
113. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 2nd Series: IV. Prayer of Gratitude
114. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 2nd Series: V. Orthodox Hymn from Asia Minor
115. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 2nd Series: VI. Largo
116. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 2nd Series: VII. Prayer and Procession
117. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 2nd Series: VIII. Easter Hymn
118. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 2nd Series: IX. Lento Cantabile
119. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 2nd Series: X. Hymn for Good Friday
120. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 2nd Series: XI. 20 X
121. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 2nd Series: XII. Andante Con Moto
122. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 2nd Series: XIII. Tibi Cantamus No. 2
123. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 2nd Series: IX. Andante
124. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 2nd Series: X. Alleluia
125. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 2nd Series: XI. Hymn for Christmas Day No. 2
126. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 2nd Series: XII. 1 IV
127. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 2nd Series: XIII. Hymn to Our Endless Creator
128. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 2nd Series: XIV. Meditation
129. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 2nd Series: XV. Night Procession
130. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 3th Series: I. Tibi Cantamus No. 1
131. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 3th Series: II. Prayer
132. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 3th Series: III. Hymn for Easter Thursday
133. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 3th Series: IV. Hymn for Easter Wednesday
134. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 3th Series: V. Lento, 14 IV
135. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 3th Series: VI. 7 XII
136. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 3th Series: VII. Essene Hymn
137. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 3th Series: VIII. Women's Prayer
138. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 3th Series: IX. Chant from a Holy Book
139. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 3th Series: X. Vespers Hymn
140. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 3th Series: XI. 13 III
141. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 3th Series: XII. The Resurrection of Christ
142. Vol. III, Hymns, Prayers, and Rituals, 3th Series: XIII. Easter Hymn and Procession in the Holy Night
143. Vol. IV, Hymns from a Great Temple and Other Selected Works Hymns from a Great Temple: I. Hymn No. 1
144. Vol. IV, Hymns from a Great Temple and Other Selected Works Hymns from a Great Temple: II. Hymn No. 2
145. Vol. IV, Hymns from a Great Temple and Other Selected Works Hymns from a Great Temple: III. Hymn No. 3
146. Vol. IV, Hymns from a Great Temple and Other Selected Works Hymns from a Great Temple: IV. Hymn No. 4
147. Vol. IV, Hymns from a Great Temple and Other Selected Works Hymns from a Great Temple: V. Hymn No. 5
148. Vol. IV, Hymns from a Great Temple and Other Selected Works Hymns from a Great Temple: VI. Hymn No. 6
149. Vol. IV, Hymns from a Great Temple and Other Selected Works Hymns from a Great Temple: VII. Hymn No. 7
150. Vol. IV, Hymns from a Great Temple and Other Selected Works Hymns from a Great Temple: VIII. Hymn No. 8
151. Vol. IV, Hymns from a Great Temple and Other Selected Works Hymns from a Great Temple: IX. Hymn No. 9
152. Vol. IV, Hymns from a Great Temple and Other Selected Works Hymns from a Great Temple: X. Hymn No. 10
153. Fragments from the Struggle of the Magicians: I. Fragment No. 1
154. Fragments from the Struggle of the Magicians: II. Fragment No. 2
155. Fragments from the Struggle of the Magicians: III. Fragment No. 3
156. Fragments from the Struggle of the Magicians: IV. Fragment No. 3A
157. Fragments from the Struggle of the Magicians: V. Fragment No. 4
158. Fragments from the Struggle of the Magicians: VI. Fragment No. 5
159. Fragments from the Struggle of the Magicians: VII. Fragment No. 5A
160. Fragments from the Struggle of the Magicians: VIII. Fragment No. 6
161. 4 Early Pieces: I. Tibetan Dance
162. 4 Early Pieces: II. Tibetan Movement
163. 4 Early Pieces: III. Trinity
164. 4 Early Pieces: IV. Tibetan Melody
165. 4 Selected Works: I. The Essentuki Prayer
166. 4 Selected Works: II. Return from a Journey
167. 4 Selected Works: III. The Initiation of the Priestess
168. 4 Selected Works: IV. The Bokharian Derbish, Hadji-Asvath-Troov