When viewed from the perspective of a chronicler, Kurt Hessenberg’s course of life was surprisingly straightforward—especially given the troubled times he lived in. An overview can be given quite concisely:

> Curriculum vitae

Deeper insights into Hessenberg’s musical life and personality can be gained from an autobiographical text written in the late 1980s. You can either view the German version,

> “Kleine Selbstbiographie”,

presented here by courtesy of B. Schott’s Söhne (Mainz), one of Hessenberg’s principle publishers, or an English translation, titled

> “A Brief Autobiography”,

which is accessible on the website of Cassandra Records. The text was translated by Barbara Schultz-Verdon and Leland Sun (whose recording of