New Edition: Works for wind orchestra
Konzertmusik für Blasorchester op. 41 (1926)
Symphony in B flat for Concert Band (1951)
These two works by Hindemith were each scored for specific orchestral forces and technical levels. The Konzertmusik für Blasorchester [Concert music for wind orchestra] op. 41 was composed in a mere few days for the contemporary chamber music festival Donaueschinger Kammermusiktage in response to a commission issued by the organisers Heinrich Burkard, Joseph Haas and Hindemith himself for a concert featuring “original compositions for military band”. This was an experimental event presenting new works for military bands of the Weimar Republic. […] Hermann Scherchen conducted the first performance in Donaueschingen on 24 June 1926. […] Hindemith composed the Symphony in B flat for Concert Band for a concert with the United States Army Band held in Washington, D.C. on 5 April 1951 in which he had been invited to participate as guest conductor.
(Extract from the Introduction by Luitgard Schader)