Although some composers in Germany do not hold the music of
Harald Genzmer in high regard, all agree that as a human being he is truly one of the great figures in German music, helping rebuild the concert scene AND musical education in Germany in the wake of the tragic wastes of World War II. Still active in June 2007,
Genzmer was 98 years old and had produced more than 300 compositions, and yet he is mainly known in Germany. While
Genzmer does not deny the European avant-garde its reason to exist, he has never held a subscription to it -- his music is straightforward and tonally based, though strongly informed by modern stylists such as
Stravinsky,
Bartók, and especially his teacher
Paul Hindemith.