duncancampbell

Hi Ed,

Is there a recording of the Hindemith sonata at the proper tempo? I've never heard it played mit kraft. I've looked at all the recordings of it on the naxos music library (the toronto symphony has a free link to it on its website tso.ca for anybody else who is interested), there were 7 or 8 and nobody plays it slower than 110. Does this frustrate you? Do you have an answer that will solve my crisis?

Duncan

Jimi Michiel

Duncan,

Check out Charlie Schlueter's recording. While it is slower, the reason I recommend it is for Charlie's power and musicality which, for my money, are unmatched by anyone else on this piece.

-jm

__________________

rettepnoj

The Norwegian Ole Edvard Antonsen have recorded it pretty slow I think! I used that one as my reference! The first I heard was Wynton's, haha, that was fast...

__________________
Jon Petter Lindberg

Selmer Concept TT
Bach Strad. 197 NY, nr 203
Schilke S32
Yamaha YTR 6310Z
Yamaha YTR 01
Conn Constelation

GR and Schilke mouthpieces

ecarroll

Hi Duncan,

Hindemith's instruction "Mit Kraft" (with strength) refers to the style, not the tempo, of the first movement.

My own personal tempo is determined by the piano part and usually falls between 100 - 104, depending on the venue.

Best,
EC

rowuk

The speed will not determine if it is perceived by the audience to have "strength" or "power". I think he wanted a solid introduction, which is very much a part of being a great trumpet player. I agree with Ed, the piano player has more to say than the trumpet player about the absolute tempo. Do not forget, that there are two musicians needed for this piece. The piano part is harder.

__________________
Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

trumpetnick

I had an accompanist in college, (who BTW was doing an awesome job and was working often with my teacher), who told me that the Hindemith Sonata was a piece for solo piano with trumpet accompaniment ...I guess that there is some truth in this...The pianist however asked me never to report that comment to my teacher...My teacher at that time, however told me once, that is very difficult to find a pianist who can play correctly the 3rd mvt of that same sonata

__________________
Spada Bach B flat 72, leadpipe 2L/DWMM1.5C
Spada Bach C 256, leadpipe 2LQ/DWMM1.5C
1956 Olds Ambassador Cornet
Spada Custom Piccolo

If you don't know where you are going, you 'll end up someplace else

ecarroll

TMers,

For those of you who are truly interested in this particular work, please take a look at the following discussions that parallel closely those held at Chosen Vale every year.

http://www.thomasstevensmusic.com/qu...orrect-Tempi-6

http://www.thomasstevensmusic.com/qu...atever-Works-4

Best,
EC

JJ

FYI, I have a copy of the first two pages of the (handwritten) autograph score, which unambiguously reads 96-100 to the quarter note.

JJ

duncancampbell

I hadn't thought about it until my pianist told me to slow down (partially because it was difficult) - the way he said it was "with work". This seems different than "with power" (and here a recent grade 11 physics education helps) - the one requires an opposition, and I think a tempo that we need to fight to keep down gives that effect.

Thanks for the links and suggested recordings,

Duncan

Vulgano Brother

After stumbling across this thread, I couldn’t stop thinking about it, so I decided to write a few thoughts (opinions). Overall, I think the Sonata is one vast political statement. It was written about the same time as Mathis der Maler, and is an entirely different animal than the typical sonata.

I think the first movement is a disguised march, martial, full of pomp and swagger (at least at the opening), but without any dash or heroics. I hear the first piano rhythm as being a snare drum riff.

1939 was a turning point in Germany under the National Socialists, and I think Hindemith responded (at least subconsciously) to this in his writing.

As for tempo, we have the march quality at the beginning, the piano mini-fanfare and the “siren” figure to take into consideration. When they all feel right, then that is the correct tempo.

Mit Kraft can also be translated as “with force.”

A bit of the old ultra-violence, oh my droogies.

__________________
www.letsbuildhope.org