New CD
Paul Hindemith: Sonatas for ...
Sonata for Alto Horn and Piano (1943) / Sonata for Violoncello and Piano (1948) / Sonata for Trombone and Piano (1941) / Sonata for Violin and Piano (1935) / Sonata for Trumpet and Piano (1939)
Alexander Melnikov (piano), Teunis van der Zwart (alto horn), Alexander Rudin (violoncello), Gérard Costes (trombone), Isabelle Faust (violin), Jeroen Berwaerts (trumpet)
►harmonia mundi HMC 905271 (2015)
The highly competent interpreters on this CD provide a highly diversified glimpse into the sonata oeuvre of Paul Hindemith. By means of a standardised composing technique the principles of which Hindemith explained in his major theoretical work The Craft of Musical Composition, published in 1937, the composer presents a variety of baroque and classical musical forms. The sonatas for one orchestral instrument and piano accompaniment, written precisely during this period, can be interpreted as the expression of encyclopaedic aspirations. Biographical information about the interpreters is missing in the booklet; their artistic qualities alone manifest themselves impressively. Omnipresent in all the pieces is the renowned pianist Alexander Melnikov, whose unfussy, straightforward playing forms the backbone of this most warmly recommended recording.
Heinz-Jürgen Winkler