Hindemith's works were banned in Germany in 1936 due to artistic reasons by the National Socialist cultural authorities, leading to his emigration to Switzerland in 1938 and later to the USA in 1940.
Performer Biography
Sharon Kam, the clarinetist on this album, made her orchestral debut at age 16 with Mozart's Clarinet Concerto and has won the ECHO Klassik 'Instrumentalist of the Year' award twice.
Composer Biography
Paul Hindemith, born in 1895, is considered one of the most influential German composers of the generation after Richard Strauss.
Composition History
The Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra was commissioned by Benny Goodman, a renowned jazz clarinetist and advocate for contemporary 'serious' music.
Composition History
The three clarinet works on this album were composed during Hindemith's extensive travels: the Quartet in 1938 around his emigration, the Sonata in 1939 during his US tours, and the Concerto in 1947 upon his first return to Europe after WWII.
Recording & Production
The recordings for this album took place in Frankfurt and Bremen, with different recording teams for the orchestral and chamber works.
Compositional Technique
Hindemith's compositional style, particularly in the Clarinet Quartet, emphasizes linear writing and transparency, often limiting individually perceived voices to a maximum of three.
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