Paul Hindemith

[Serial_Apologist]

The early works from between ca. 1917 and 1923, churned out at an astonishing rate, a sometimes perplexing, sometimes invigourating mixture of styles, from Wagner to Milhaud by way of Reger and Berg, are followed by a succession of chamber orchestral (small forces mostly) works in a dry, often highly amusing neo-Bachian style, with long interwoven melodic passages sooner or later resolving abruptly. It suited the sense of ironic distancing purveyed by many of his German contemporaries under Weimar - Weill and the more Schoenbergian Eisler turned to class struggle, only touched on by the satirist in Hindemith, who nevertheless stayed awhile under the Nazis ( This is controversial - here admittedly my knowledge becomes sketchy). From this style Hindemith slowly adumbrated an harmonic approach based on what he considered strong and weak intervals (perfect fifths and fourths being strongest) outlined in his theoretical work Unterweisung im Tonsatz in the early 40s - by which time his general approach had become more... staid would probably be the best word. In the 50s his "neo-classicism" was often contrasted with Stravinsky's as more contrapuntally and less rhythmically-driven, and he was considered less radical than the Schoenberg school in promulgating a primacy for tonality, though this was tonality on different terms from those of the 19th century. I've always felt the charge of rhythmic stagnancy thrown at Hindemith unfair; be that as may by the time of his death (1963) Hindemith was together with Schoenberg regarded as outdated by the deification of Webern still then prevalent.

[Suffolkcoastal]

Hindemith isnt someone who immediately springs to mind in the context of musical humour, but try 'Ouverture zum "Fliegenden Hollander"'. My copy is on Wergo, CD WER 6197-2 286 197-2. The full title translates something like "The overture to the Flying Dutchman, as played by a hung-over village wind band at seven in the morning." It is just recognizable as Wagner's overture, is excruciatingly out of tune and I find it very funny. Confusingly, the work is actually for string quartet. I played it to my brother in law, who is much more musical than me, and he actually flinched several times.

I forgot about that, its absolutely hilarious.

[Serial_Apologist]

Hope I don't get into trouble for this but borderline ok for me.
I have heard a few bits and bobs over the years but confess to having no music by Hindemith on my shelves.
He is on my 'keep plugging away at' list (along with Sibelius)but I have not felt inclined to do any away plugging for a long while.
My loss probably.

Tippett, Walton, Rawsthorne were just 3 English composers influenced by Hindemith, ER.

[EdgeleyRob]

Tippett, Walton, Rawsthorne were just 3 English composers influenced by Hindemith, ER.

I know I know,and so many owe a debt to Sibelius too,I am mystified as to why I don't get music that has clearly influenced the stuff I love dearly.

[Beef Oven]

I know I know,and so many owe a debt to Sibelius too,I am mystified as to why I don't get music that has clearly influenced the stuff I love dearly.

[BBMmk2]

Spot the all-important missing adjective folks!

What can BBM be meaning?

A Nation (and Chandos) holds its breath

"Chandos has done a very good(!) series of his orchestral music" :)

[amateur51]

"Chandos has done a very good(!) series of his orchestral music" :)

[Suffolkcoastal]

You're not alone in this ER, I like a lot of composers influenced by Mahler, but I'm no great fan of his music. As I mentioned above Hindemith's music does take perseverance, so don't give up as yet.

[BBMmk2]

Do try his Symphonia Serena.

[rauschwerk]

The total absence of Hindemith's music from the Proms, whilst pretty predictable, is nonetheless disgusting. They could have programmed a couple of his pieces instead of (say) the 50,000th hearing of The Planets. He may not be as important as he was cracked up to be at the time of his death, but he wrote several pieces which ought still to be standard repertoire if there were any justice.

Hindemith regarded himself as first and foremost a musician (violist, teacher, composer) and might have been philosophical about his current neglect. There' s a good biography by Geoffrey Skelton (1975)which I recently bought second hand.

[Beef Oven]

Hindemith regarded himself as first and foremost a musician (violist, teacher, composer) and might have been philosophical about his current neglect. There' s a good biography by Geoffrey Skelton (1975)which I recently bought second hand.

Reddit - Worth getting hold of

[Suffolkcoastal]

It certainly is, I bought is 2nd hand several years ago.

[EdgeleyRob]

You're not alone in this ER, I like a lot of composers influenced by Mahler, but I'm no great fan of his music. As I mentioned above Hindemith's music does take perseverance, so don't give up as yet.

I will give him another try sc,just as soon as I can tear myself away from Russian symphonies.

[teamsaint]

Well , some really great responses, many thanks to all those who have taken the time to contribute so far.

Lots to investigate, and there seems to be a sort of consensus that Hindemith is undervalued these days.

I have started having a listen to some of the suggestions. One upside of modern life is the ability to listen to some of these works instantly.

[rauschwerk]

As I mentioned above Hindemith's music does take perseverance...

That wasn't the case with me. In my teens I took at once to a couple of the organ sonatas, then the Mathis der Maler symphony. When it came to the Symphonic Metamorphoses - a friend of mine had the Szell recording - I quickly became quite obsessed, unable for some time to do without a daily fix. But I don't now know anyone who is a Hindemith fan: not even my wife, who likes a good deal of 20th century music.