JMSCD9 - Hindemith plays Hindemith
Price GBP £9-50
Recognizing their historical importance, in November 2009 Ismeron bought the rights to the compilation of the American recordings made by Paul Hindemith for RCA Victor in April 1939. They were transferred and remastered by Mark Obert-Thorn for Biddulph Recordings and first issued on CD in 1993. This important release includes a high proportion of the recordings which Hindemith made as violist performing his own works and, we believe, the only recording of him playing the piano. It includes:
- Der Schwanendreher (1935) with Arthur Fiedler’s Sinfonietta;
- Trauermusik (1936) with string orchestra conducted by Bruno Reibold;
- Sonata for Piano, Four Hands (1938) and
- Sonata No. 3 for Viola and Piano (1939), both with Jesús Maria Sanromá
The CD includes a new 12 page booklet with notes in English and German (prepared in consultation with the Hindemith Institut in Frankfurt on Main) and two photographs of Hindemith: one holding his viola, the other with pianist Jesús Maria Sanromá..
Track Listing | |||
1 - 3 | Der Schwanendreher (1935) | Paul Hindemith (Viola) with Arthur Fiedler's Sinfonietta | 25-54 |
4 | Trauermusik (1936) | Paul Hindemith (Viola), String Orchestra conducted by Bruno Reibold | 7-16 |
5 - 7 | Sonata for Piano, Four Hands (1938) | Jesús Maria Sanromá, Paul Hindmith (Piano Duet) | 13-07 |
8 - 11 | Sonata No.3 for Viola and Piano (1939) | Paul Hindemith (Viola), Jesús Maria Sanromá (Piano) | 20-48 |
TOTAL PLAYING TIME 67-45
Audio Sample
Excerpt from Finale of Sonata No.3 for Viola and Piano (1'50")
Reviews
Biddulph’s transfers are excellent.
Gramophone, May 1994
Very good to have these performances back.
International Record Review, June 2010
... these recordings are invaluable, bearing testimony to his no nonsense style.
... the Sonata of 1939 ... receives a definitive performance
The Strad, April 2010
Recorded when these works were all freshly minted, these 1930s performances have a stamp of authority with Hindemith himself performing both as viola player and as pianist.
Performance ****
Recording ***
BBC Music Magazine, August 2010