Toward the end of his life, Hindemith got pretty depressed. His music was "going out of fashion" (except of course for Symphonic Metamorphosis, which is his most popular work). Critics complained that his fugal writing was "interesting and clever, "but "lacked melodic interest." All this...at the same time they criticized Rachmaninov for being "too melodic." They never quite understood their own split-personality. Hindemith loved the fugue and understood it deeply. He also understood the major and minor fourth and had a preference for them. I've always loved his music, but I also have my preferences. Mathis der Mahler remains my favorite. My wife loves Symphonic Metamorphosis and I love it too. This Sonata is a good work, but will never become popular, like the Rachmaninoff 2nd Two-piano Suite, which is a better work. I've played the Rachmaninoff and I love it. Thanks for posting this! Sanjosemike (no longer in CA)
Whether or not one agrees with the statement that "Toward the end of his life, Hindemith got pretty depressed," that has NOTHING to do with this piece, which dates from what we may rightly consider an "annus mirabilis" as far as his composing is concerned! In addition to this wonderful piece, in 1942 he also wrote Ludus Tonalis, plus a great number of fine songs for solo voice (in German, French, English and Latin); this run of exceptional works continued in the next few years with Herodiade, the Symphonic Metamorphosis, the Piano Concerto, the Symphonia serena and the Symphony in B flat for Concert Band. As for the works of his last years, I would have no hesitation in ranking his one-act opera The Long Christmas Dinner (1960) and the Mass (1963) with his greatest works, regardless of whether they would/will ever be as popular as his better-known pieces.
Ingenious, absolutely! But the SCALES are, after all, HIS! Proprietary intellectual property and such. Actually, I find myself quite persuaded....Greetings from San Agostinillo!
You might wish to follow his "ludus tonalis" to be accustomed to his very personal musical language. Try here: ruclips.net/video/Sd3hvhnd7YU/видео.html
The fugue is actually one of my favorite Hindemith's pieces, and one of my favorite classical/academic pieces of all time. But I agree it's quite taxing on the ear. It took me three listenings to really get into it and fully appreciate its unyielding, ever looming texture. It's like it's always about to fall on you before it hopefully resolves in a very much Hindemithian way.
drives me crazy. so good, this composition...!
I. Glockenspiel 00:06
II. Allegro 02:54
III. Kanon 06:34
IV. Recitativ eines altenglischen 11:05
V. Fugue 14:12
Thank you.
15:47 look at that DSCH
Hindemith?!? This channel just keeps getting better.
Thanks so much for doing the score...So wonderful to follow the notation on this, especially the Canon and Fugue sections.
WONDERFUL! PURES SOFTLY INTO MIND, RESETS AND OPENS IT. MAYBE, BECAUSE OF CHANGE IN WWII FORESIGHT? 🕊
Rock music of the future times!
14:12 fugue
Exelente,inquietante,genial!!!!
thanks so much for doing a score video of this !
Wow!!!
Toward the end of his life, Hindemith got pretty depressed. His music was "going out of fashion" (except of course for Symphonic Metamorphosis, which is his most popular work).
Critics complained that his fugal writing was "interesting and clever, "but "lacked melodic interest." All this...at the same time they criticized Rachmaninov for being "too melodic." They never quite understood their own split-personality.
Hindemith loved the fugue and understood it deeply. He also understood the major and minor fourth and had a preference for them. I've always loved his music, but I also have my preferences. Mathis der Mahler remains my favorite. My wife loves Symphonic Metamorphosis and I love it too.
This Sonata is a good work, but will never become popular, like the Rachmaninoff 2nd Two-piano Suite, which is a better work. I've played the Rachmaninoff and I love it. Thanks for posting this!
Sanjosemike (no longer in CA)
What is major/minor fourth ?
There's no such thing as a major or minor fourth, it is a perfect interval.
@@kennethdower7425 Thanks for the clarification. I try to honestly admit when I am incorrect.
Sanjosemike (no longer in CA)
Ludus Tonalis is the first Hindemith work I heard that made me fall in love with his music, what a joy exploring the rest of it.
Whether or not one agrees with the statement that "Toward the end of his life, Hindemith got pretty depressed," that has NOTHING to do with this piece, which dates from what we may rightly consider an "annus mirabilis" as far as his composing is concerned! In addition to this wonderful piece, in 1942 he also wrote Ludus Tonalis, plus a great number of fine songs for solo voice (in German, French, English and Latin); this run of exceptional works continued in the next few years with Herodiade, the Symphonic Metamorphosis, the Piano Concerto, the Symphonia serena and the Symphony in B flat for Concert Band. As for the works of his last years, I would have no hesitation in ranking his one-act opera The Long Christmas Dinner (1960) and the Mass (1963) with his greatest works, regardless of whether they would/will ever be as popular as his better-known pieces.
His fugal writing is genius, but the scales he employed sound rather unconvincing to me.
Ingenious, absolutely! But the SCALES are, after all, HIS! Proprietary intellectual property and such. Actually, I find myself quite persuaded....Greetings from San Agostinillo!
You might wish to follow his "ludus tonalis" to be accustomed to his very personal musical language. Try here: ruclips.net/video/Sd3hvhnd7YU/видео.html
The fugue is actually one of my favorite Hindemith's pieces, and one of my favorite classical/academic pieces of all time. But I agree it's quite taxing on the ear. It took me three listenings to really get into it and fully appreciate its unyielding, ever looming texture. It's like it's always about to fall on you before it hopefully resolves in a very much Hindemithian way.