Gurdjieff/De Hartmann: Music For The Movements / Dullemen

Followers of G. I. Gurdjieff's teachings might argue that the impact of prolific keyboard output is lessened when performed outside its ritualistic context. Gurdjieff dictated his Music for the Movements to collaborator Thomas De Hartmann, who faithfully notated and harmonized melodies specifically fashioned for Gurdjieff's carefully worked out exercises. The piano scores were, and still are, used for Movements classes. Pianist Wim van Dullemen has accompanied numerous Movements classes, and his approach to the music's plain-spoken, Mussorgsky-like chorale writing presumably carries more than a modicum of authority. That said, I notice telltale signs that suggest ingrained habits often acquired by pianists who play a lot of classes: slight Read more tendencies to rush, predictably emphatic downbeats, and a tone that does not resonate as deeply in the keys as, say, Charles Ketcham and Laurence Rosenthal's more firmly etched pianism for Wergo's Gurdjieff cycle. And De Hartmann's own unique Gurdjieff recordings are in dire need of reissue. Still, anyone interested in this fascinating repertoire will rejoice in Channel's thorough documentation and fine sonics.

--Jed Distler, ClassicsToday.com
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1. Movements: Dur-Rud by Thomas de Hartmann

Performer: Wim van Dullemen (Piano)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1950-1953; USA

2. Movements: The Three Canons by Thomas de Hartmann

Performer: Wim van Dullemen (Piano)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1950-1953; USA

3. Movements: Canon of 15 November by Thomas de Hartmann

Performer: Wim van Dullemen (Piano)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1950-1953; USA

4. Movements: The Circles by Thomas de Hartmann

Performer: Wim van Dullemen (Piano)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1950-1953; USA

5. Movements: Derviche by Thomas de Hartmann

Performer: Wim van Dullemen (Piano)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1950-1953; USA

6. Movements: Adam and Eva by Thomas de Hartmann

Performer: Wim van Dullemen (Piano)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1950-1953; USA

7. Movements: Multiplication of 9 October by Thomas de Hartmann

Performer: Wim van Dullemen (Piano)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1950-1953; USA

8. Movements: Women's Dance by Thomas de Hartmann

Performer: Wim van Dullemen (Piano)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1950-1953; USA

9. Movements: Andantino by Thomas de Hartmann

Performer: Wim van Dullemen (Piano)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1950-1953; USA

10. The Essentuki Prayer by George Gurdjieff

Performer: Wim van Dullemen (Piano)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1918
Notes: This work was composed in collaboration with Thomas de Hartmann.

11. The Initiation of a Priestess by George Gurdjieff

Performer: Wim van Dullemen (Piano)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1921-1922
Notes: This work was composed in collaboration with Thomas de Hartmann.

12. The Struggle of the Magicians [Fragments] by George Gurdjieff

Performer: Wim van Dullemen (Piano)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1919/1925
Notes: This work was composed in collaboration with Thomas de Hartmann.

13. Movements: Exercises 1924, N 1 by George Gurdjieff

Performer: Wim van Dullemen (Piano)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1924; France

14. Movements: Exercises 1924, N 3 "Unfinished Second Obligatory" by George Gurdjieff

Performer: Wim van Dullemen (Piano)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1924; France

15. Movements: Exercises 1924, N 4 "Slow Second Obligatory" by George Gurdjieff

Performer: Wim van Dullemen (Piano)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1924; France

16. Movements: Exercises 1924, N 6 "Thirty Gestures" by George Gurdjieff

Performer: Wim van Dullemen (Piano)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1924; France

17. Movements: The Fall of the Priestess by George Gurdjieff

Performer: Wim van Dullemen (Piano)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1924; France

18. Movements: N 33 by George Gurdjieff

Performer: Wim van Dullemen (Piano)
Period: 20th Century
Written: by 1924; France
Notes: This work may have been composed by Thomas de Hartmann.

19. Movements: The Sacred Goose by George Gurdjieff