Hindemith’s music has held up remarkably well. Elements of his melodic and harmonic style that once seemed pedantic now come across merely as personal, even characterful. His music has humor, variety, more than a few good tunes, and of course his high level of craftsmanship speaks for itself. There have been remarkably few recordings of some of these pieces, especially the Konzertmusik Op. 48, which is really a delightful viola concerto in five brief but eventful movements. Like the fifth Kammermusik, it’s scored for winds and lower strings, and this sets the solo lines in high relief and provides fetching and constantly changing washes of instrumental color. Both of these pieces come from Hindemith’s “objectivist” neoclassical phase. Trauermusik and Der Schwanendreher are a touch (but only a touch!) more warmly lyrical.
All four works receive really excellent performances from violist Lawrence Power, whose consistently attractive tone and on-target intonation leaves no doubt that the sometimes off-kilter harmonies are the composer’s and not an accident. David Atherton, as his earlier recordings of Kurt Weill reveal, also has a genuine feeling for music of this period. He projects the music’s energy but never lets it turn mechanical or rhythmically stiff. Hyperion’s engineering leaves nothing to be desired, making this a very rewarding and important disc. Even if you don’t think you like Hindemith, you may want to give this a shot; it could change your mind. [1/4/2011]
