Dennis Hennig was a distinguished Australian pianist renowned for his scholarly interpretations and technical proficiency, especially in the realm of romantic piano music. Born in Brisbane in 1951, Hennig grew into an accomplished musician who received his formative training at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music before further honing his craft in London at the Royal College of Music. His career was characterized by a deep affinity for the works of Liszt and his pupils, which led to an emphasis on the virtuosic and often underperformed repertoire of the 19th century.

Hennig's discography is a testament to his meticulous approach towards rare piano literature. It includes "Piano Encores," a collection that showcases his versatility and flair for nuanced interpretation. His album "Cyril Scott: Lotus Land & Other Piano Works" brings to light the exotic and idyllic pieces of Cyril Scott, a British composer whose contributions to the piano repertoire often draw from impressionistic and oriental influences. Hennig's dedication to restoring overlooked gems is further evident in his recordings of transcriptions, such as "Lizst's Symphonic Poems, Piano Transcriptions, Carl Tausig, Hamlet, Orpheus, etc," which illuminate the intricate relationship between orchestral music and its adaptation for solo piano. His exploration of Carl Tausig’s work, specifically through "Carl Tausig, Nouvelles soirées de Vienne, Franz Schubert Concert Arrangements" and "Carl Tausig, Wagner Transcriptions and Paraphrases, Tristan und Isolde, Die Walküre, Kaisermarsch," underlines his commitment to challenging repertoire and his skill in breathing pianistic life into orchestral scores. Dennis Hennig's artistry and scholarship left a significant imprint on the classical music landscape, particularly in the authenticity and insight he brought to the Romantic era canon. Unfortunately, his life was cut short when he passed away in 1993, yet his recordings continue to serve as a benchmark for pianists exploring the sophisticated sphere of 19th-century transcriptions and rarely performed compositions.

Genres

Australian Classical Piano

Latest Release

Piano Encores

Dennis Hennig

Album - 15 Tracks - Released October 15, 2010