THE MANY FACES OF PAUL HINDEMITH

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to present selected violin pieces by Paul Hindemith (1 895-1 963) against a backdrop of the diverse styles and traditions that he integrated in his music. For this dissertation project, selected violin sonatas by Hindemith were performed in three recitals alongside pieces by other German and Austro-German composers. These recitals were also recorded for archival purposes. The first recital, performed with pianist David Ballena on December 10, 2005, in Gildenhorn Recital Hall at the University of Maryland, College Park, included YioZin Sonata Op. 11, No. 1 (1 91 8) by Paul Hindemith, Sonatina in D Major; Op. 13 7 (1 8 16) by Franz Schubert, and Sonata in E-Jlat Majo~O p.1 8 (1 887) by Richard Strauss. The second recital, performed with pianist David Ballena on May 9, 2006, in Gildenhorn Recital Hall at the University of Maryland, included Sonata in E Minor KV 304 (1 778) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sonata in E (1 935) by Paul Hindemith, Romance for Eolin and Orchestra No. 1 in G Major (1 800-1 802) by Ludwig Van Beethoven, and Sonata for Eolin and Piano in A mino7; Op. 105 (1 85 1) by Robert Schurnann. The third recital, performed with David Ballena and Kai-Ching Chang on November 10,2006 in Ulrich Recital Hall at the University of Maryland, included EoEin Sonata Op. 12 No. 1 in D Major (1 798) by Ludwig Van Beethoven, Sonata for Wolin and Harpsichord No. 4 in C Minor B W 101 7 (1 720) by J.S. Bach, and I/iblin Sonata Op. II No. 2 (1 9 1 8) by Paul Hindemith. For each of my dissertation recitals, I picked a piece by Hindemith as the core of the program then picked pieces by other composers that have similar key, similar texture, same number of movements or similar feeling to complete my program. Although his pieces used some classical methods of composition, he added his own distinct style: extension of chromaticism; his prominent use of interval of the fourth; his chromatic alteration of diatonic scale degrees; and his non-traditional cadences. Hindemith left behind a legacy of multi-dimensional, and innovative music capable of expressing both the old and the new aesthetics.