Search - Paul Hindemith, Wolfgang Sawallisch, The Philadelphia Orchestra :: Hindemith ~ Mathis der Maler - Symphonie · Symphonic Metamorphosis of Themes by Carl Maria von Weber · Nobilissima visone - Suite / The Philadelphia Orchestra · Sawallisch

Hindemith ~ Mathis der Maler - Symphonie · Symphonic Metamorphosis of Themes by Carl Maria von Weber · Nobilissima visone - Suite / The Philadelphia Orchestra · Sawallisch
Paul Hindemith, Wolfgang Sawallisch, The Philadelphia Orchestra
Hindemith ~ Mathis der Maler - Symphonie · Symphonic Metamorphosis of Themes by Carl Maria von Weber · Nobilissima visone - Suite / The Philadelphia Orchestra · Sawallisch
Genre: Classical
 
  •  Track Listings (11) - Disc #1

This disc brings together three of Hindemith's masterpieces dating from the 1930s and '40s, each presenting a unique take on the composer's mature style. The symphony Mathis der Maler, drawn from the opera of the same titl...  more »

     
   
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This disc brings together three of Hindemith's masterpieces dating from the 1930s and '40s, each presenting a unique take on the composer's mature style. The symphony Mathis der Maler, drawn from the opera of the same title, uses Lutheran chorales and Gregorian chant for its primary thematic material, while the ancient church modes also feature prominently in Hindemith's ballet about the life of St. Francis of Assisi, Nobilissima Visione. The Symphonic Metamophosis, on the other hand, turns a few tunes by Weber into a brilliant orchestral showpiece. Each of these pieces, then, demonstrates the composer's determination to write new music that remains in touch with the traditions of the past, and they find ideal interpreters in Sawallisch and the Philadelphia Orchestra--performances that combine New World brilliance and panache with Old World warmth and charm. A great recording, no doubt about it. --David Hurwitz

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CD Reviews

Good solid Himdemith
Greg Hales | Vacaville, Ca USA | 04/01/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)

"This disc that brings the 3 masterpieces of Himdemith is a good disc. Conducting is good and the orchestra plays well. It doesn't in some important moments catch fire however. This is true in the Symphonic Metamorphoses above all. The conducting tends to be slow and flaccid. The playing routine and not exciting. There are some better versions of these works out there. One is Bernstein with the Israel Philharmonic. It was one of the best recordings Bernstein made in his last years. While Israel perhaps does not play as well as Philadelphia, they play with great excitment and comment. The other version is with Abbado and the Berlin Philharmonic. Abbado almost equals Bernstein's insights and he has the BPO giving us the best played Hindemith. The BPO plays with its customary polish and excitment. In terms of orchestral playing I have not heard a Himdemith disc that equals let alone surpasses the BPO.Sawallisch gives us good but not great Hindemith. Abbado and Bernsteim go the extra mile. Both the Abbado and Bernstein versions are on Deutsche Grammophon."
A great orchestra following a dull conductor
Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 05/21/2006
(3 out of 5 stars)

"Sawallisch's reign in Philadelphia hasn't exactly been sparkling and was marred by his ill health toward the end. But EMI gave him a fair run, and this Hindemith collection filled a hole in their catalog. It's gorgeously played and recorded, which may be enough for some. The sonics are deep and vivid, a pleasure to listen to.



It's unfortunate that the good reviews here are well written and the bad ones all but illiterate, because the naysayers are right. This is glossy but dull musicmaking, and almost any alternative will be more exciting (beginning with Bernstein, Abbado, and Blomstedt). For David Hurwitz to claim that these Hindemith showpieces have found "their ideal interpreter" is scandalous."
No Way!
Erick Matta | Texas, USA | 02/18/2006
(1 out of 5 stars)

"as much as i wanted to like this disc, this recording is a DUD!

atlanta/levi and SFS/Bloomstedt totally outclass this poor project and the sound is pitiful as well.. i'm bewildered by the positive reiews and my advice to those posters is to go educate yourselves with some other recordings of these profound works of art!!!"