Composers Datebook®

Hindemith's 'Kammermusik' No. 4

Composers Datebook - Sept. 25, 2024
DOWNLOAD

Synopsis

In the 1920s, German composer Paul Hindemith wrote a set of seven concertos, which he collectively titled Kammermusik or Chamber Music. This generic title was part of Hindemith’s goal to foster a more “objective” musical style, modeled on 18th century composers like J.S. Bach.

Hindemith’s Kammermusik No. 4, a work for solo violin and chamber orchestra, had its first performance in Dessau on today’s date in 1925. The soloist was Licco Amar, the first violinist of the Amar String Quartet, an ensemble in which Hindemith played viola.

Hindemith’s father had been killed in World War I, and Hindemith himself had been called up, but avoided being sent to the front by forming a string quartet that played nightly to ease the nerves of his commanding officer. Then during the World War II, despite being considered a so-called “Aryan” composer, Hindemith fell out of favor with the Nazi regime and eventually emigrated to America, where he became a very influential teacher.

To address the role of music in society, Hindemith suggested composers should revive the idea of writing works amateur musicians could play at home with family and friends.

“People who make music together cannot be enemies,” he observed, “at least while the music lasts.”

Music Played in Today's Program

Paul Hindemith (1895-1963): Kammermusik No. 4; Konstanty Kulka, violin; Concertgebouw Orchestra; Riccardo Chailly, conductor; London 433 816

On This Day

Births

  • 1683 - French composer Jean-Philippe Rameau, in Dijon

  • 1862 - French organist and composer Léon Boëllmann, in Ensisheim, Alsace

  • 1896 - Catalonian-born British composer Roberto Gerhard, in Valls (near Tarragona, Spain)

  • 1906 - Soviet composer Dimitri Shostakovich, in St. Petersburg (Julian date: Sept. 12)

  • 1932 - Canadian pianist and occasional composer Glenn Gould, in Toronto

Deaths

  • 1849 - Austrian composer Johann Strauss, Sr., 45, in Vienna

  • 1916 - Czech band composer Julius Fucik, 44, in Leitmeritz. He composed the famous circus march Entrance of the Gladiators.

  • 1997 - French composer and pianist Jean Françaix, 85, in Paris. The composer himself has written that his family name is pronounced with the final “x” sounded (as in “Aix-en-Provence”), although it's commonly pronounced “Français” by many.

Premieres

  • 1870 - Smetana: opera The Bartered Bride (4th version), in Prague at the Provisional Theater;

  • 1907 - Sibelius: Symphony No. 3, in Helsinki, with the composer conducting;

  • 1925 - Hindemith: Kammermusik No. 4, in Dessau, Germany, conducted by Franz von Hoesslin, with Licco Amar the violin soloist

  • 1936 - R. Vaughan Williams: choral suite Five Tudor Portraits, in Norwich, England, conducted by the composer

  • 1960 - Paul Ben-Haim: Capriccio for Piano and Orchestra, in Tel Aviv

  • 1962 - Piston: Lincoln Center Festival Overture, by the Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by Eugene Ormandy, at the third concert scheduled at the newly opened Philharmonic Hall (now David Geffen Hall) at Lincoln Center in New York City

  • 1966 - Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No. 2, in Moscow, by the USSR State Symphony, with Mstislav Rostropovich the soloist and the composer’s son, Maxim, conducting

  • 1980 - Bernstein: Divertimento for Orchestra, by the Boston Symphony conducted by Seiji Ozawa

  • 1986 - Husa: Concerto for Orchestra, by the New York Philharmonic, conducted by Zubin Mehta

  • 1997 - John Adams: Piano Concerto (Century Rolls), at Severance Hall, with pianist Emanuel Ax and the Cleveland Orchestra, conducted by Christoph von Dohnányi

Others

  • 1966 - On his 60th birthday, Russian composer Dimitri Shostakovich is nominated as a Hero of Socialist Labor by the Soviet government

Love the music?

Donate by phone
1-800-562-8440

Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.

Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.

YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.

More Ways to Give

Your Donation

$5/month
$10/month
$15/month
$20/month
$

Latest Composers Datebook® Episodes

VIEW ALL EPISODES

Latest Composers Datebook® Episodes

YourClassical

Hovhaness reaches No. 65

Alan Hovhaness (1911-2000): Symphony No. 2 (‘Mysterious Mountain’); Chicago Symphony; Fritz Reiner, conductor; RCA 61957

2:00
Get Composers Datebook in your inbox
YourClassical

The New York Philharmonic on the air

Wolfgang Mozart (1756-1791): Symphony No. 39; New York Philharmonic; Leonard Bernstein, conductor; Sony 60973 Roy Harris (1898-1979): Symphony No. 3; New York Philharmonic; Leonard Bernstein, conductor; Sony 60594

2:00
YourClassical

Korngold makes a Snowman

Erich Wolfgang von Korngold (1897-1957): ‘The Snowman’; Northwest German Philharmonic; Werner Andreas Albert, conductor; CPO 999 037 Erich Wolfgang von Korngold (1897-1957): Violin Concerto; Chantal Juillet, violin; Berlin Radio Symphony; John Mauceri, conductor; London 452 481

2:00
YourClassical

Copland's 'Duo'

Aaron Copland (1900-1990): ‘Duo’; Jennifer Stinton, flute; Malcolm Martineau, piano; Collins 1385

2:00
YourClassical
2:00
YourClassical

Hector Campos Parsi

Héctor Campos Parsi (1922-1998): ‘Divertimento del Sur’; Members of the Casals Festival Orchestra; Milton Katims, conductor; Smithsonian Folkways COOK-01061

2:00
YourClassical

Bizet's 'The Pearl Fishers'

Georges Bizet (1838-1875): Prelude from ‘The Pearl Fishers’; Mexico City Philharmonic; Enrique Batiz, conductor; ASV 6133 Georges Bizet (1838-1875): ‘Au Fond du Temple Saint,’ from ‘The Pearl Fishers’; Placido Domingo, tenor; Sherrill Milnes, baritone; London Symphony; Anton Guadagno, conductor; BMG 62699

2:00
YourClassical

Torke's 'Overnight Mail'

Michael Torke (b. 1961): ‘Overnight Mail’; Orkest de Volharding; Jurjen Hempel, conductor; Argo 455 684

2:00
YourClassical

Vivian Fine

Vivian Fine (1913-2000): ‘Concertante’; Reiko Honsho, piano; Japan Philharmonic; Akeo Watanabe, conductor; CRI 692

2:00
VIEW ALL EPISODES

About Composers Datebook®

Host John Birge presents a daily snapshot of composers past and present, with timely information, intriguing musical events and appropriate, accessible music related to each.

He has been hosting, producing and performing classical music for more than 25 years. Since 1997, he has been hosting on Minnesota Public Radio's Classical Music Service. He played French horn for the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestra and performed with them on their centennial tour of Europe in 1995. He was trained at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Eastman School of Music and Interlochen Arts Academy.

About Composers Datebook®