CDXL. HINDEMITH, Paul: Kammermusik #6 for Viola d'Amore and Chamber Orchestra, Op. 46/1

CDXL. HINDEMITH, Paul (1895-1963)

Kammermusik #6 for Viola d'Amore and Chamber Orchestra, Op. 46/1 (1927)
1. Massig schnell, majestatisch
2. Langsam
3. Variationen: Massig schnell bewegt
4. Lebhaft wie fruher
Joke Vermeulen, viola d'amore
Concerto Amsterdam
Edo de Waart, cond.
(17:38)

One of the first box sets I ever purchased as a curious young teenager ...

I immediately fell in love with #4 [see Post LXX], but gradually started to study them all.

Six is so unusual because the viola d'amore is so rarely used in contemporary music.

note the sympathetic strings

1. Massig schnell, majestatisch

I wonder if Hindemith was joking with the 12-tone crowd; 11 out of 12 (the G-Natural is missing, and the D-Natural is repeated):

This section -- delicately scored for trumpet, 3 celli, 2 bassi and soloist -- is delightful:

2. Langsam

An achingly beautiful arching clarinet solo, accompanied by the 5 soli lower strings:

reduced to better show the harmony:

The soloist's entrance; Hindemith adds a bassoon:

3. Variationen: Massig schnell bewegt

Viola d'amore alone; then Hindemith delicately adds flute and horn -- the texture thickens gradually ...

[notice the low A!]

4. Lebhaft wie fruher

Lively!

But things end very quietly: