Septet (Hindemith)

From Wind Repertory Project
Paul Hindemith

Paul Hindemith


General Info

Year: 1948 / 1949
Duration: c. 15:00
Difficulty: VII (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Schott Music
Cost: Score and Parts - $90.95   |   Score Only - $17.95


Movements

1. Lebhaft (Lively) - 4:30
2. Intermezzo. Sehr langsam, frei (Very slowly, free)
3. Variationen. Mäßig schnell (Moderately quick)
4. Intermezzo. Sehr langsam (Very slowly)
5. Fuge. Schnell (Fugue: Fast)


Instrumentation

Full Score
Flute
Oboe
Bassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Trumpet
Horn in F


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Hindemith began composing the work while visiting Sicily in November, 1948. It was premiered in Milan on December 30, 1948. The work was performed in New York on December 7, 1952, where it was highly received.

A melodic basis for the piece is Alter Berner Marsch, an old song from Bern, Switzerland. The first movement is in sonata form. The two intermezzos are exact retrogrades of each other. The theme for the variation movement begins in the trumpet and then is passed to the flute. The meter begins in 3/4 then evolves into 9/8. After returning to 3/4 the opening theme is heard in the bassoon. The fugue begins with clarinet and trumpet playing the opening of the Alter Berner Marsch. The trumpet is notated in cut-time while the rest of the ensemble is in 12/8. Hindemith uses the form in a similar fashion to the last movement of his Symphony in Bb.

- Program Note from University of Redlands Wind Ensemble concert, 26 March 2013


Awards

  • New York Critic's Circle Award for Best Chamber Work, 1952.


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Velvet Pastures Wind Ensemble (Durham, N.H.) (Andrew Boysen, Jr., conductor) - 4 February 2023
  • University of Cincinnati (Ohio) College-Conservatory of Music Chamber Winds (Kevin Michael Holzman, conductor) - 23 September 2021
  • Indiana University (Bloomington) Chamber Winds (Jeff Osarczuk, conductor) - 18 March 2021
  • Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge) Wind Ensemble (Damon Talley, conductor) - 15 December 2020
  • United States Air Force Band Chamber Ensembles Septet – 18 December 2019 (2019 Midwest Clinic)
  • University of Cincinnati (Ohio) College-Conservatory of Music Chamber Winds (Kevin Michael Holzman, conductor) – 26 September 2019
  • Washington State University (Pullman) Wind Ensemble (Matthew Aubin, conductor, conductor) – 13 March 2012 (CBDNA 2012 Western/Northwestern Division Conference, Reno, Nev.)
  • Performance 20/20, The Hartt School - 1 May 2011
  • Jacaranda - 22 May 2010
  • University of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (Roger Zahab, conductor) 17 February 2010
  • University of Maryland Wind Orchestra (Donald Hunsberger, conductor) 2 April 2009
  • Camerata Winds - 11 February 2008
  • Villa Musica - 18 November 2007


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources

  • Hindemith, P. (1994). Septet [full score]. Eulenburg, London.