Walter Heinz Bernstein composer / arranger

The German harpsichordist and organist, Walter-Heinz Bernstein, studied at the Kirchenmusikalischen Institut des Landeskonservatorium der Musik in Leipzig, with Karl Straube, Günther Ramin, Johann Nepomuk David, Walter Bohle, etc. He passed the A-exam in 1941.

In 1948 Walter-Heinz Bernstein became Kantor in Hamburg Wellingsbüttel (organ recordings at the NwdR). In 1950 he was appointed Kantor in Ravensburg, and was director of the Bachchor, including performance of about 40 Bach Cantatas in the church service. With the BachChor he also performed J.S. Bach's Matthäus-Passion (BWV 244), Magnificat (BWV 243), Weihnachts-Oratorium (BWV 248/3-6), and Motets, and W.A. Mozart's Requiem. In 1956 he became Kantor at the Friedenskirche in Leipzig, and in 1960 Kantor at St. Petrikirche, performing church music every Sunday (Heinrich Schütz, J.S. Bach, Johann Nepomuk David, etc.).

Walter-Heinz Bernstein took part in numerouus radio broadcasts and recordings. He has co-operated in music research with the Institute of the Leipzig University. He was active in publishing at the Leipziger Verlagen as well as Bärenreiter-Verlag, Kassel. He has also taught at the Musikhochschule Leipzig as well as in Göteborg, Sweden. Since 1985 he was Kantorenamt in Lindenberg/Allgäu.