Hanno Leichtmann presents new album Outerlands” from Villa Aurora
Hanno Leichtmann's new album "Outerlands" combines the organ sounds of Villa Aurora with artistic exchange about escape and exile.

Hanno Leichtmann presents new album Outerlands” from Villa Aurora
Something is happening in the world of music! Hanno Leichtmann has created a real highlight with his latest album “Outerlands”, which he composed on the organ of the Villa Aurora in Los Angeles. Loud taz The album was created as part of his time as a scholarship holder at the renowned artist residency that opened in the 1990s. Villa Aurora, built in 1927, was originally a refuge for the writer Lion Feuchtwanger and his wife Marta, who found refuge there while fleeing fascism.
What makes “Outerlands” so special? Leichtmann captures the idea of soundscapes with his 12 compositions; short, detailed vignettes that take the listener on an acoustic journey. Particularly noteworthy is the piece “Lucero”, in which a mechanical rattling is harmoniously placed under the organ sounds. His work also shows clear influences from Latin jazz, for example in the piece “Alondra”. This combination of organ and percussion is not new, but is strongly reminiscent of the sonic discoveries of musicians such as Hans-Günther Wauer and Günter “Baby” Sommer in the 1980s.
Villa Aurora: A place of exchange and creativity
The Villa Aurora is not only the stage for Leichtmann's musical experiences, but also a historical place for artists. Hanns Eisler and Bertolt Brecht contributed to their fame, as did many other German exiles, including Fritz Lang and Theodor W. Adorno. Earth and culture come together here, which makes living and working in the villa particularly valuable Daily Mirror reported. Marta Feuchtwanger, who took control of the villa, created a place of encounter and inspiration that continued to exist even after her death in 1987.
With 301 artists who have worked at the residency since then, Villa Aurora offers three-month scholarships and has established itself in the scene. Not only is art created here, but the topic of escape and exile is also intensively discussed. Every year the results of these creative discussions are presented in Berlin, which further promotes the exchange between cultures and artists.
Leichtmann's work is therefore not only personal, but also part of this important narrative of expulsion and new beginnings that Villa Aurora symbolizes. His musical work contributes to the living history of this extraordinary site and shows that art can always create a bridge.