Neues vom Tage Overture

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
True to his German roots, Hindemith was a very serious guy, so he probably wouldn't be pleased to be told that the opening of the Symphony in E-flat sounds like the Star Wars or Superma film scores. But the music does have a truly heroic quality, and each of it's four movements is packed full of memorable material. The second movement is a funeral march of truly impressive grandeur. In short, anyone who cares about good modern symphonies really ought to hear this, and the couplings--a spicy opera overture and the magnificent ballet suite Nobilissima Visione--complement the major work perfectly. --David Hurwitz

Amazon.com

Hindemith was the greatest German composer of the post-War period, and the last in that great line that began with Bach and extended through the Classical and Romantic periods. His orchestral music is varied and generally extremely approachable, and the percentage of major works is very high. Nobilissima visione, Symphonic Metamorphoses, Mathis der Maler, Symphony in E-flat, and Concert Music for Strings and Brass are all popular masterpieces, while works such as the Symphonic Dances, Symphonia Serena, and Harmony of the World Symphony deserve the same accolades. This set, excellently performed and recorded by a selection of fine Australian orchestras, really deserves the widest circulation among fans of listenable contemporary classical music. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Great performances of a great composer.......2006-08-23

While Hindemith will never be known for changing the way the world hears music, he will always be recognized as composing well-crafted minor masterpieces, even if they can be a little formulaic and his sense of melody was a little warped. All six discs in this set have gems that should be heard more often in the concert halls and recorded more. In particular, the Concerto for Orchestra on Disc 6 is fantastic -- with its addictive and fun themes and transparent structure, it was the only work I listened to for about a month. Of the rarer works recorded here, his Symphony Serena on Disc 5 is a little tougher to like, but is really quite good, while his Symphony in E flat on Disc 4 is nothing short of amazing. The Philharmonic Concerto, a set of variations on a strange but catchy theme that only Hindemith could write, also really shines in this set.

Of his more well known -- if you can call any Hindemith "well known" -- works, the recordings are a mixed bag. His Concert Music for Strings and Brass on Disc 3 have a wonderful fullness in the lower brass that I haven't heard in other performances. But the Mathis der Maler Symphony and Nobilissima Visione are both so-so and a little dull. And the performance of Symphonic Metamorphosis here is just outright terrible and a big disappointment, full of mistakes and uneven tempos.

But that's ok. Because you can get good recordings of his better-known works elsewhere. But because his lesser works are presented here in such convincing performances, this set is a must buy for anyone exploring Hindemith! The other 2 box sets on CPO that round out his complete orchestral works are just as good, if not even better. All are highly recommended.

Hindemith, Hindemith, Hindemith!!!!!.......2005-05-15

Wow, this box set is phenomenal. First off, HIndemith is one of the most underappreciated and underrated composers of the 20th century. In my opinion he is definetly in the top 5 along with Stravinsky, Schoenberg, etc. This box set is simply amazing. Whether it is the sound quality, or the works themselves, they will provide you with hours and hours of great music. Although Hindemith was a 20th century composer, his works are EXTREMELY ACCESSIBLE and have a chromatic-romantic feeling to them. I am a music teacher and I have a huge classical collection and this box set is played more than most else. Also, I would recommend the other two volumes by CPO, they are just as good as this set.

DIDN'T THINK THAT THEY MADE THEM LIKE THIS ANYMORE.......2002-12-08

I listened upstairs in bed, on the couch watching football with the sound off, while typing my uncle William E. Crawford's WWII journals. It doesn't get any better than Paul Hindemith, whether it is band music, symphony, ragtime, or overture.
I confess I sometimes have a love-hate feeling about the role of the Jewish Diaspora musicians and composers. But they do the time to the beat and more. I always go to them for performance. They should teach other Americans to compose and perform.

Tracks:

Symphony In E Flat: Seht Lebhaft
Symphony In E Flat: Sehr Langsam
Symphony In E Flat: Lebhaft
Symphony In E Flat: Massig Schnelle Halbe
Nobilissima Visione (Orchestral Suite): Einleitung Und Rondo
Nobilissima Visione (Orchestral Suite): Marsch Und Pastorale
Nobilissima Visione (Orchestral Suite): Passacaglia
Neues Vom Tage (Overture)

Amazon.com

True to his German roots, Hindemith was a very serious guy, so he probably wouldn't be pleased to be told that the opening of the Symphony in E-flat sounds like the Star Wars or Superma film scores. But the music does have a truly heroic quality, and each of it's four movements is packed full of memorable material. The second movement is a funeral march of truly impressive grandeur. In short, anyone who cares about good modern symphonies really ought to hear this, and the couplings--a spicy opera overture and the magnificent ballet suite Nobilissima Visione--complement the major work perfectly. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Unsubtle, superbly crafted and highly recommended.......1999-01-16

I saw Tortelier conduct this symphony at the 1998 Albert Hall Proms in London and I loved it. It is bombastic, top quality meaty music, not at all dry, a quality so often levelled at this composer. OK, it isn't a Shostakovich or Sibelius beater but this music gets the adrenalin going in a positive manner. The suite to Nobilissima Visione is also terrific, with a highly impressive fugal finale. To wrap this disc up we get an early overture which is riotous and full of precoiousness. The recording, performance and value for money is exemplary. Good, if not great stuff!

Track Listings:

Track Listings

I Ain't Gonna Be Worried No More 1929-1941

Chase & the Steeple Chase [Import]

Little Miss Understood: Mike d'Abo Collection, Vol. 2

I'll Do Anything for You

Holding Back the Years

Grieg, Tchaikovsky, Pierné: Piano Concertos

Happy Holidays:Tri-Cultural Christmas

Black Vocal Groups, Vol. 5: 1923-1941

The Collector's The Threepenny Opera