P. Hindemith - Der Schwanendreher (Concerto per Viola e Orchestra), I.

P. Hindemith, Der Schwanendreher (1935/36)
I. Zwischen Berg und tiefem Tal

Viola: Tabea Zimmermann
Simphonie-Orchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks
Conductor: David Shallom

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Paul
• Hindemith
• Concerto
• Viola
• Orchestra
• Der
• Schwanendreher

[Farnik01]

By far the best recording I've heard of Der Schwanendreher... it's got the right character, which I feel most other recordings severely lack.

[AbsoluteZ3R0]

@Farnik01 I swear I posted a comment saying that I actually thought this recording lacked the character you said it had but either it never posted or the uploader of this video deleted it. What "character" is it that you speak of? If anything this recording seems to lack character. Interestingly, the "character" of this piece that I personally imagined for this piece is almost exactly how Hindemith himself played it.

[AbsoluteZ3R0]

@desdemona19181 For example, take the passage starting at 1:15, how does that passage not represent in some way or another, humanity rising above its follies? Why does she play it like it's not a force to be reckoned with? To me it sounds like her greatest concern is having a beautiful tone, and not showcasing the true spirit of this movement. Obviously this is just my opinion, but god I hate the way she plays this piece

[AbsoluteZ3R0]

@desdemona19181 invigorated me in a way that no other piece of music had before. It was then that I fell in love with this concerto. I listened to Hindemith's recording as well and although his playing isn't as flashy as Primrose's I got that same feeling. To me, that is the definitive character of this piece - triumph and the elevation of the human spirit. Ever since then, I have hated any recording that has not conveyed that character or uplifted me in the same way I felt that night.

[AbsoluteZ3R0]

@desdemona19181 came on the playlist (it was the Primrose recording). As a violist I was always familiar with this piece but had never really liked it. However, something changed that day. When I listened to Primrose play it for the first time with true intent, I felt this massive uplifting. I felt energized, I felt as if I was above all of my troubles. It was this sense of personal strength and grandeur that made me feel like I could overcome any troubles I faced in life. This movement

[AbsoluteZ3R0]

@desdemona19181 Youtube never notified me that you responded to my comment, so I apologize for taking this long to respond. Anyway, you're right, she is one of today's leading violists, but I just really hate the way she plays this. I'm going to give you a small personal anecdote that will explain further. One day I came home and I was totally depressed and bummed out over various reasons. I was laying in my bed just listening music, trying to escape the shittiness of my day when this movement

[oatmealtime1]

@Mizzles240 uh no. Its german for, "the swan turner"

[Mizzles240]

der schwanendreher is german for

THE MONKEY GRINDER

[desdemona19181]

@AbsoluteZ3R0 and dislike and saying a character is "right" or "wrong" what dont you like about her playing :D

[desdemona19181]

@AbsoluteZ3R0 She really is! its common viola knowledge :) have you ever heard her live? perhaps if you had you might be inclined to think differently but who knows :) forgive me if i offended you! discussing high level players can be fun ( I for one love discussing my dislike for all things maisky with my cello friends) however I think one should always be careful about how they come across. I personally quite like the character she brings to hindemeth, but there's a big difference between like

[AbsoluteZ3R0]

@desdemona19181 The world's leading violist? O rly? I suppose that means that the claim that this recording has the right character is an absolute fact, and is incapable of being refuted or disagreed with