There are certain pieces by Paul Hindemith that I really, really like. And let’s face it, the gent was extremely influential. But when I came to put together yesterday’s “Music from Marlboro,” it was so miserable hot that I just couldn’t bring myself to subject my listeners to his Octet for Winds and Strings.
The piece is ugly, grey, cranky, and noodly – gebrauchsmusik at its worst. I’m sure there’s a time and a place for this kind of music (I have programmed it before), but at 27 minutes, let’s face it, it’s just too grating for too damn long. I’ll save it for a bleak – and at least cool – winter’s day.
There are times when Hindemith can be glorious, thrilling, or transcendent, even. And then there are those when he just leaves your mouth tasting like gun metal on a too-long car trip.
Here’s a humorous piece written a few years ago that just about nails it. Be forewarned, however, that the language can be a little rough, with the boldest of words in a bold headline. NSFW, then.
The next time you’re stuck in traffic on a hundred degree day, turn off the air conditioning, roll down the windows, and think of this:
Movement I https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6oWa8lB_sY
Movement II https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBxgSkwksU8
Movement III https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcZAnNM5_cU
Movement IV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFnV8iBV08o
Movement V https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaNx4faNUh4
Music history would have been a lot different if only Hindemith had been hired as a replacement Stooge ahead of Curly Joe DeRita.
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