Ralf Wienrich is one of the most important active composers of our time, known for works such as the film Coronado (2003) and several episodes of the Spreewald Crime series, which were made available to listeners by Alhambra in multiple volumes (Vol. 1, Vol. 2, and Vol. 4).

BITTERSWEET – MUSIC FOR DARK COMEDIES now presents selected highlights of his work: "Goebbels and Geduldig" tells the story of the tragic case of mistaken identity due to the physical resemblance between the Jewish man Harry Geduldig and Heinrich Himmler. The music was performed by the ensemble KONTRASTE under the direction of Frank Strobel. Here, Ralf Wienrich skillfully balances the romantic love of the main characters with the hectic, militaristic atmosphere of the era. In "Frau Roggenschaub's Journey," the protagonist, played by Hannelore Hoger, breaks free from her previous life, joins a Sinti family, and steals her husband's supposedly valuable Fender electric guitar.

The music is performed with corresponding verve by the German Film Orchestra Babelsberg and the band Django Deluxe. "Mein Bruder, der Idiot" (My Brother, the Idiot) is a successful blend of jazz sounds and orchestral arrangements, the latter skillfully interpreted by Till Brönner on trumpet. The final two works on this album form a cohesive whole: the themes initially presented in "Blind Date" are further developed and reinterpreted in the piano cycle "Suite Chocolate."

We find the alternating use of different solo instruments in each of the five works particularly successful and appealing.

Goebbels and Geduldig (2001)
01. Good Weather at the Obersalzberg 3:03
02. Toni's Assassination 3:31
03. Geduldig and Goebbels 3:21
04. Farewell Forever 2:07

Mrs. Roggenschaub's Journey (2015)
05. Overture (Stina) 1:40
06. You're Gypsies! 1:03
07. I Don't Believe It (Driving) 1:36
08. Farewell to the Guitar 1:13
09. Mrs. Roggenschaub Spies 2:43
10. Overnight Stay in the Caravan 1:42
11. Lullaby 0:40
12. Woodworm or Mealworm (Driving) 1:40
13. Evening Mood, Somehow (Nodja) 1:51
14. The Plan 1:59

My Brother the Idiot (2000)
15. Jacob's Theme 1:43
16. Anna Dies 2:36
17. Julian's Theme 2:07
18. The Ice Maiden Song 1:32
19. Love Scene 4:05
20. Jacob Dances 2:26

Blind Date (2010)
21. Every Beginning 2:52
22. The Announcement 1:46
23. Eyes Closed and Through It 1:34
24. Now I'm Driving 2:09
25. The Carousel of Life 2:26
26. Bathing Fun with Exceptions 2:44

Suite Chocolate For Piano (2025)
27. Couverture 4:11
28. Round Dance of the Marzipan Tartlets 1:32
29. The Caramel Brownie Tower 1:51
30. Plain Vanilla Cream Heaven 2:37
31. Full Range Toffee Battle 2:37
32. Dark Nougat Considerations 3:16
33. The White Chocolate Princess 2:04
34. Infinite Fudge Fountain 4:55