Hartenfels’ compositional style is deeply rooted in Romanticism and the virtuoso salon style of the 19th century. His works are characterized by harmonic depth and a sophisticated utilization of the entire fretboard.
- Major Work: Among his best-known surviving compositions is the Rondeau brillant op. 14 (sur la Romaïka – motif Grèce), which exemplifies his virtuosic writing.
- Stylistic Characteristics: He combined lyrical, almost operatic melodic lines with rapid arpeggios and complex polyphonic structures, specifically designed to demonstrate the resonant capabilities of extended instruments.
Hartenfels was one of the few Western European advocates for the seven-string guitar. While this instrument primarily established itself as a standard in Russia (the Russian guitar), Western European composers experimented with it chiefly to strengthen the bass register.
- Extended Range: By adding a seventh bass string, Hartenfels was able to compose fuller chords and deeper basslines without sacrificing the intonation of the higher voices.
- Sonic Richness: The extra string gave the instrument—often criticized for its quietness—an orchestral dimension and greater resonant volume, which Hartenfels masterfully exploited in his rondeaus and variations.
Edward Hartenfels is regarded as an important link between the classical guitar tradition and the experimental currents of the Romantic era. His significance lies primarily in his questioning of the rigid boundaries of the standard six-string guitar. He proved that the guitar could hold its own in the orchestral context of the salon as a fully-fledged solo instrument with expanded harmonic possibilities. His surviving scores, such as Opus 14, remain valuable documents for historical performance practice on Romantic and multi-string guitars to this day.
