Eine Winterreise is a fascinating solo piano album from pianist/composer Michael Wollny, one of the most-celebrated German jazz artists and a professor at Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Leipzig. The album is was inspired by Franz Schubert’s song cycle, Winterreise, but that doesn’t mean that Wollny’s album is an arrangement of the Schubert work, which was published in 1828 - shortly before his death. Fragments of the original music are recognizable, but overall, this is a new work inspired by Schubert’s 1828 cycle of twenty-four pieces for voice and piano. The title translates to “A Winter Journey,” and the music takes us on a fourteen-track experience that is both adventurous and introspective. It should probably be mentioned that this is definitely not background music nor is it music for meditation or relaxation, and I doubt many people will fall asleep listening to it! Wollny’s website calls this album: “A fascinating solo piano journey with echoes of Schubert, Björk, Kate Bush and Louis Cole.”

Eine Winterreise begins with “ich schreibe nur im gehen” which translates to “I Write Just in Passing.” On the quieter, more pensive side, it’s a very interesting prelude to the music that follows. “Wetterfahnen” translates to “Weather Vanes” and is very dark and spare at the beginning, becoming almost sinister as it unfolds, upping the tempo considerably. Schlag und Schritt” (Strike and Step”) has a very steady left hand while the right dances up and down the piano keyboard, becoming more melodic as it progresses. “Aurora” is more melodic and rather dark, hinting at JS Bach here and there. “Snowflake” is Wollny’s take on one of Kate Bush’s songs and alternates between melodic and recognizable to a more improvised approach. “Fahlschatten” (“Pale Shadows”) is downright spooky, using the inner-workings of the piano to great effect! “Irrlichter” (“Will o’ the Wisp”) is very quick and chaotic for much of the piece with a few calmer passages for contrast, and ending with a short melody. “Cloud of Flies” is an arrangement of the song by Louis Cole. It begins almost frantically, much like an actual cloud of flies! Once the melody comes in, it is much darker and more expressive - a very interesting interpretation! “im dunkeln wird mir wohler sein dienebensonnen” (I Should Feel Happier in the Dark”) is my favorite track. It begins with single notes that feel random (but I’m sure they aren’t) - kind of like trying to find your way in the dark. Small, sparse chords come next and the piece continues to develop, going in different directions with a number of different themes and rhythms. “Steht ihm nimmer still der leiermann” is the title of the last piece in Schubert’s song cycle as well as the last piece on this album. It translates to “And His Hurdy Gurdy Never Stops,” which I would imagine could be pretty annoying! It’s a dark and mysterious close!

Franz Schubert has always been one of my favorite classical composers, but I have to admit that I’m not that familiar with this particular song cycle. I really don’t think the two are intended to be compared, though, since most of the tracks are Michael Wollny originals. Eine Winterreise will be released on October 30, 2026 and is available for pre-release orders on Amazon (CD, vinyl and digital) and Apple Music/iTunes. More links will be added as they become available.