I own some personal letters of Hindemith given to me as a young man by someone who believed in me. Hindemith has always been a very special composer to me - he's the truly contrapuntal composer of the 20th century (along with Paul Creston) - the first such composer since Haydn. His letters are that of a truly great man. I love his music. It speaks to a beautiful soul.
I would like to argue your contention about H's stature as regards counterpoint. Look into Fartein Valen in Norway and Gerald Finzi in England, among others. Not that that distinction holds much distinction. Counterpoint trends to be what is internalized, while the creative spirit moves away. Do look into Valen. He is one such composer.
Hindemith has been for long neglected since he did not adopt the atonal language (which he knew rather well) and thus was seen as an outsider of the main stream of the modern language. Nowadays, we can consider these issues with a more broad vision and hence recognize the cleverness of Hindemaith's writing. This symphony is a good example of his throughput.
Door zoveel muziek te schrijven in zijn carriere heeft Hindemith het zijn publiek niet makkelijk gemaakt,want vele van zijn werken zijn niet zo interessant. Het gaat er echter om de pareltjes die er wel tussen zitten te ontdekken en uit te voeren. "Die Harmonie der Welt" is zo een pareltje. Prachtig begin met die donderende percussie. Ik heb onlangs zijn vioolconcert ontdekt; nog zo een werk dat onder de radar blijft.
Was für eine freudige Überraschung: Endlich eine differenzierte und liebevoll interpretierte Wiedergabe dieses tollen Werks. Eine außergewöhnliche Orchesterleistung! Estupendo!
@@jgesselberty If it is "nothingness," it is the creatio ex nihilo nothingness of the Big Bang, meaning the nothing that accounts for everything. Out of the nothingness of a point (location without physicality), two points give us a line; three two dimensions, four points the three dimensions of a tetrahedron - and voila, our normal universe. Thought itself is "nothing," and few composers could think so well as Hindemith.
I can listen to certain classical pieces and composers any time without really needing to pay attention - great background but not necessarily engrossing. I listen to Hindemith, Webern and certain other when "listening to the music" and becoming engrossed in it is the point. Despite the intensity of concentration music like this requires, it relaxes other areas of my mind that focus on daily work. This often "reboots my brain" and clears mental blocks so that when I return to my work, I do so refreshed. This is indeed an excellent performance.
ross Leo that's interesting to hear.Could you elaborate a bit more because for me harmonic consonant (eg bach) music rather relaxes me and this is something i could only really listen to when i have no other work to do.
.. gewiss herber als die berühmtere Mathis-der-Maler-Sinfonie ist dieses Hindemith-Werk (auch inhaltlich) von statuarischer Größe; der spanische Maestro - ein internationaler Spezialist für auch zeitgenössische Musik - und das Spanische RSO überzeugen mit einer intensiven Interpretation.
Hindemith a été longtemps négligé puisqu'il n'a pas adopté la langue atonale (qu'il connaissait plutôt bien) et a donc été considéré comme un étranger au courant principal de la langue moderne. Aujourd'hui, on peut considérer ces questions avec une vision plus large et reconnaître ainsi l'ingéniosité de son l'écriture . Cette symphonie est un bon exemple, de fait, de son débit 🤠
Yes, I agree! Hindemith is not a composer most people can relate easily to but with perseverance his music brings many rewards. I noticed the performance was not well attended which is unfortunate as orchestras cannot continue to play only the same standard repertoire - there is so much great music out there to be discovered!
This marvelous symphony, is taken from the 5 act opera, of the same name, about astronomer, Johannes Kepler's search for universal harmony. The opera, and the symphony, ends as the characters in the opera become and represent the celestial bodies, the suns and moons and planets that occupied Kepler's life. It is nothing short of miraculous.
Actually he wrote the symphony before he had a clear idea of the opera's action, so you could say he extracted the opera from the symphony! Same thing with Mathis, by the way.
It should be called the "chaos of the universe." Besides hardly any audience the venue is not a good recording chamber. So many good things happen in bad places. A Hindemith work never fails to get my attention, his harmonic structures thrill me.
Rautavaara must have been a great admirer of this incredible composer and his work, by almost totally copying the grand finally (passacaglia) of this work in his 8th symphony.
J'avoue que j'ai énormément de mal avec cette symphonie qui, malgré les extraordinaires moyens employés (beaucoup trop à mon goût) ne parvient pas à éveiller chez moi la moindre émotion sinon celle de l'agacement. Et pourtant j'adore Mathis der Mahler, les métamorphoses symphoniques, le Schwanendreher, Nobilissima Visione et les quatuors. A la fin de sa vie, Hindemith devait avoir accès à des sphères qui échappe à mon niveau d'écoute.
La sifonía es genial. Una obra inspiradísima de un gran compositor que todavía , por no sé qué ironías del destino, nos toca reivindicar.Por desgracia, la interpretación no convence demasiado. Y la acústica junto con la realización dejan que desear.
@@knd1940 I don't know. The metaphor for Hindemith's theory of harmony in Kepler's search for universal harmony doesn't resonate as much for me as Matthias's struggle for artistic freedom, mirroring Hindemith's own struggles during the Nazi era.
@@muslit If I knew the operas I might agree with you but I only know the derived symphonies so I listen to them as pure music, and from that point of view I prefer Die Harmonie der Welt. The Mathis der Maler symphony is among Hindemith's best loved music, unlike Die Harmonie der Welt, but personally I get more out of the latter than the former.
@@knd1940 I don't know, but I think the gist of both operas are in the symphonies, hence the popularity of one symphony over the other. That's not to say that Mathis der Mahler as an opera is performed very often.
The triumphant effects come across as overblown because so many of his ideas are bland and uninspired. What a contrast to this earlier works, so full of arresting motives and daring juxtapositions.
Like the late output of many great composers - from Liszt to Stravinsky - Hindemith's works from the last decade or so of his creative life may initially seem to lack the appeal of his best-known earlier pieces. But I've found over the years that works like this symphony, the Madrigals and the Mass gradually reveal their depth and beauty. And the Symphony in B-flat for wind band is extraordinary! :)
@@treesny Nice dialogue with Victor Grauer above. To me, it's not so much early vs late as it is a case of a manically prolific composer who was always very uneven, all the way through. For example, his wind quintet (Kleine Kammermusik Op 24 No 2) is early [1922], while his horn concerto, written for Dennis Brain, is late [1949], but both are hauntingly beautiful (especially the wind quintet, which has yet to be understood as one of THE great compositions of the entire XX century). But in-between? Many many dull and irritating 'compositions' which in Hindemith's own mind were simply exercises (yet foisted on the public as 'compositions' due to his Gargantuan ego -- the utterly ghastly and worthless 'horn sonata' being a case in point).
I own some personal letters of Hindemith given to me as a young man by someone who believed in me. Hindemith has always been a very special composer to me - he's the truly contrapuntal composer of the 20th century (along with Paul Creston) - the first such composer since Haydn. His letters are that of a truly great man. I love his music. It speaks to a beautiful soul.
You should somehow get those letters published, for Hindemith was one of his age's seminal composers.
Yes.. Please do publish those letters ! It would be a great gift to the musical world.
I would like to argue your contention about H's stature as regards counterpoint. Look into Fartein Valen in Norway and Gerald Finzi in England, among others. Not that that distinction holds much distinction. Counterpoint trends to be what is internalized, while the creative spirit moves away. Do look into Valen. He is one such composer.
Hindemith has been for long neglected since he did not adopt the atonal language (which he knew rather well) and thus was seen as an outsider of the main stream of the modern language. Nowadays, we can consider these issues with a more broad vision and hence recognize the cleverness of Hindemaith's writing. This symphony is a good example of his throughput.
Transparent and expressive... the musicians really brought forward the austerity and spirituality of this work. Powerful music for contemplation.
Door zoveel muziek te schrijven in zijn carriere heeft Hindemith het zijn publiek niet makkelijk gemaakt,want vele van zijn werken zijn niet zo interessant. Het gaat er echter om de pareltjes die er wel tussen zitten te ontdekken en uit te voeren. "Die Harmonie der Welt" is zo een pareltje. Prachtig begin met die donderende percussie. Ik heb onlangs zijn vioolconcert ontdekt; nog zo een werk dat onder de radar blijft.
Was für eine freudige Überraschung: Endlich eine differenzierte und liebevoll interpretierte Wiedergabe dieses tollen Werks. Eine außergewöhnliche Orchesterleistung! Estupendo!
Sparse audience for such great music.
I beg to differ with you. I think the audience is just the right size. This is brilliantly crafted nothingness.
@@stephenjablonsky1941 Brilliantly crafted. Yes. Nothingness? I disagree.
@@jgesselberty If it is "nothingness," it is the creatio ex nihilo nothingness of the Big Bang, meaning the nothing that accounts for everything. Out of the nothingness of a point (location without physicality), two points give us a line; three two dimensions, four points the three dimensions of a tetrahedron - and voila, our normal universe. Thought itself is "nothing," and few composers could think so well as Hindemith.
Some idiotic rapper--but I repeat myself--would have packed the hall.
The cymbalist from 36:42 to 36:52 . . . love that enthusiasm!
Great performance of a great and criminally neglected work
Agree 100%
I didn't like it at first, but the melodies got stuck in my head and I started walking around humming them. And what a finale!
I can listen to certain classical pieces and composers any time without really needing to pay attention - great background but not necessarily engrossing. I listen to Hindemith, Webern and certain other when "listening to the music" and becoming engrossed in it is the point. Despite the intensity of concentration music like this requires, it relaxes other areas of my mind that focus on daily work. This often "reboots my brain" and clears mental blocks so that when I return to my work, I do so refreshed. This is indeed an excellent performance.
ross Leo that's interesting to hear.Could you elaborate a bit more because for me harmonic consonant (eg bach) music rather relaxes me and this is something i could only really listen to when i have no other work to do.
Technical production is amazing
How was this not peak music of its time?
.. gewiss herber als die berühmtere Mathis-der-Maler-Sinfonie ist dieses Hindemith-Werk (auch inhaltlich) von statuarischer Größe; der spanische Maestro - ein internationaler Spezialist für auch zeitgenössische Musik - und das Spanische RSO überzeugen mit einer intensiven Interpretation.
Hindemith a été longtemps négligé puisqu'il n'a pas adopté la langue atonale (qu'il connaissait plutôt bien) et a donc été considéré comme un étranger au courant principal de la langue moderne. Aujourd'hui, on peut considérer ces questions avec une vision plus large et reconnaître ainsi l'ingéniosité de son l'écriture . Cette symphonie est un bon exemple, de fait, de son débit 🤠
0:30 Machine Music 13:54 Human Music 24:17 World Music
Grande ! Desconhecia de todo esta obra e se não fosse o UA-cam continuaria a ignorar. Uma sinfonia para ouvir, re-ouvir e aprender. Muito Obrigado
Yes, I agree! Hindemith is not a composer most people can relate easily to but with perseverance his music brings many rewards. I noticed the performance was not well attended which is unfortunate as orchestras cannot continue to play only the same standard repertoire - there is so much great music out there to be discovered!
This marvelous symphony, is taken from the 5 act opera, of the same name, about astronomer, Johannes Kepler's search for universal harmony. The opera, and the symphony, ends as the characters in the opera become and represent the celestial bodies, the suns and moons and planets that occupied Kepler's life. It is nothing short of miraculous.
I don't think the opera is getting very many performances.
@@muslit No. It is rarely performed and has only recently been given a good studio recording. It is huge and and expensive undertaking.
@@jgesselberty And there might be a reason for this. It hardly compares to the symphony Hindemith extracted from his opera Mathis der Maler.
@@muslit Actually, I think it compares favorably. There is no doubt that Mathis der Maler is more melodic and, by extension, more popular.
Actually he wrote the symphony before he had a clear idea of the opera's action, so you could say he extracted the opera from the symphony! Same thing with Mathis, by the way.
THANK YOU,SO MANY VERSIONS,I LOVE,THIS ONE IS GREAT
Thank you, I really enjoyed that. My recording is a mono LP from the 60's !
Who needs Holst (& The Planets)?
This is great
Plena de contrastes y actitudes innovadoras; se trata de una obra muy valiosa, digna de lo ,ejor del repertorio de la música.
espectacular
In this performance,
all is far superior splendor
1) 00:25 Musica Instrumentalis
2) 13:45 Musica Humana
3) 24:15 Musica Mundana
It should be called the "chaos of the universe." Besides hardly any audience the venue is not a good recording chamber. So many good things happen in bad places. A Hindemith work never fails to get my attention, his harmonic structures thrill me.
Niente di speciale.
Tá no favoritos...
Nice performance, but the video is about 1 beat ahead of the audio!
Насколько же шедевральна эта музыка! И композитор совершенно владеет всеми возможными техниками написания оркестровых партий.
Грандиозная музыка!!!
Pause at 30:10. Those two percussion guys sure look happy.
Rautavaara must have been a great admirer of this incredible composer and his work, by almost totally copying the grand finally (passacaglia) of this work in his 8th symphony.
I'm familiar with Rautavaara.. That is fascinating to know. I will check it out !
hindemith and his complex rhythms...woodwind problems around 28:30
J'avoue que j'ai énormément de mal avec cette symphonie qui, malgré les extraordinaires moyens employés (beaucoup trop à mon goût) ne parvient pas à éveiller chez moi la moindre émotion sinon celle de l'agacement. Et pourtant j'adore Mathis der Mahler, les métamorphoses symphoniques, le Schwanendreher, Nobilissima Visione et les quatuors. A la fin de sa vie, Hindemith devait avoir accès à des sphères qui échappe à mon niveau d'écoute.
grandiose
ништяк
Furtwangler considered it Hindemith's best work.
La sifonía es genial. Una obra inspiradísima de un gran compositor que todavía , por no sé qué ironías del destino, nos toca reivindicar.Por desgracia, la interpretación no convence demasiado. Y la acústica junto con la realización dejan que desear.
MEUHEUHEUH...atroce !
This work is rarely performed, and for good reason. Compare this symphony extract with the symphony extract from Mathis der Maler. No comparison.
Mathis der Maler is certainly more melodious, but for me Die Harmonie der Welt is more deeply rewarding.
@@knd1940 I don't know. The metaphor for Hindemith's theory of harmony in Kepler's search for universal harmony doesn't resonate as much for me as Matthias's struggle for artistic freedom, mirroring Hindemith's own struggles during the Nazi era.
@@muslit If I knew the operas I might agree with you but I only know the derived symphonies so I listen to them as pure music, and from that point of view I prefer Die Harmonie der Welt. The Mathis der Maler symphony is among Hindemith's best loved music, unlike Die Harmonie der Welt, but personally I get more out of the latter than the former.
@@knd1940 I don't know, but I think the gist of both operas are in the symphonies, hence the popularity of one symphony over the other. That's not to say that Mathis der Mahler as an opera is performed very often.
Struggle with this...first impressions just a 3rd rate Stravinsky?
The triumphant effects come across as overblown because so many of his ideas are bland and uninspired. What a contrast to this earlier works, so full of arresting motives and daring juxtapositions.
Like the late output of many great composers - from Liszt to Stravinsky - Hindemith's works from the last decade or so of his creative life may initially seem to lack the appeal of his best-known earlier pieces. But I've found over the years that works like this symphony, the Madrigals and the Mass gradually reveal their depth and beauty. And the Symphony in B-flat for wind band is extraordinary! :)
@@treesny Nice dialogue with Victor Grauer above. To me, it's not so much early vs late as it is a case of a manically prolific composer who was always very uneven, all the way through. For example, his wind quintet (Kleine Kammermusik Op 24 No 2) is early [1922], while his horn concerto, written for Dennis Brain, is late [1949], but both are hauntingly beautiful (especially the wind quintet, which has yet to be understood as one of THE great compositions of the entire XX century). But in-between? Many many dull and irritating 'compositions' which in Hindemith's own mind were simply exercises (yet foisted on the public as 'compositions' due to his Gargantuan ego -- the utterly ghastly and worthless 'horn sonata' being a case in point).