Paul Hindemith (1895–1963) was a significant figure in 20th-century music, serving as a trailblazing composer, pedagogue, and violist. Born on November 16, 1895, in Hanau, Germany, Hindemith initially studied violin and became an accomplished performer before stepping into the forefront as a composer. His body of work is vast and varied, reflecting his skill in counterpoint, an innovative use of tonality, and a pragmatic approach to musical composition that often favored utility and playability alongside artistic merit.

Hindemith's career wove through the tumultuous early and mid-20th century, during which he navigated the complexities of composing in Nazi Germany—where his music was at times celebrated and at other times condemned—and later an expatriate career in Switzerland and the United States. Known for his theoretical work "The Craft of Musical Composition," Hindemith's impact reached beyond the concert halls into the academic realm, shaping generations of musicians with his teaching and writings. Among his notable works are the opera "Mathis der Maler," based on the life of painter Matthias Grünewald, and thematic pieces such as "Symphonic Metamorphosis on Themes by Weber" and the "Kammermusik" series. Hindemith's compositions remain a testament to his belief in Gebrauchsmusik, or “utility music,” a philosophy that stressed the functional role of music in society and education. His death on December 28, 1963, marked the end of an era for German classical music, but his influence persists through recordings, the continuance of his pedagogical principles, and the legacy of his scores.

Genres

Austro-german Modernism

Classical

Contemporary Classical

Early Modern Classical

Laboratorio

Neoclassicism

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Latest Release

Steinberg conducts Ravel, Verdi, Stravinsky & Hindemith

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra•

Maurice Ravel•

Giuseppe Verdi•

Igor Stravinsky•

Paul Hindemith

Album - 32 Tracks - Released September 17, 2024