Search - Paul Hindemith, Werner Andreas Albert, Queensland Symphony Orchestra :: Hindemith: Viola Concertos

The Hindemith Experience

Dan L. Bullock | Louisville, Kentucky | 06/17/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A violist myself, I have often considered Hindemith my favorite composer for the viola. I am completely satisfied with my purchase of this cd; Dean's musicality and interpretation and Queensland Symphony's sensitivity to the unique viola timbre were an aural delight. I am always excited when modern day classical violists emerge; they rejuvenate the time-worn repertoire and lend a fresh, clear vision to the future of viola playing. This cd is a must-have for any violist (or musician for that matter) who wants a fresh, modern perspective on Hindemith."

Excellent recording, well worth buying!

bckm | Los Angeles, CA | 05/08/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I can't agre at all with the reviewer from Philadelphia who panned this recording and the music contained therein. First, unless he is a prolific and successful composer, I don't think he has any authoity to come off sounding so elitist.



I am a former violist and composer, and I can tell you it is HARD to compose a symphonic piece (as opposed, say, to the electric guitar, when all you really have to do is come up with the chords)of music. Anyone can spin off "She Loves You" or that sort of thing, but it is quite an accomplishment to write a cohesive piece of music for a classical instrument like the viola. I have played all of Hindemith's pieces with varying degrees of mediocrity, but I can tell you that it is quite beautiful to listen to when the violist gets it right (and I rarely did). My teacher at the time, Alfredo Baldassarri, brought Hindemith's music to life, and managed to play this Germanic music with an intensity and feeling that I could never have matched, and through the music of Hindemith (and Stravinsky), I fell in love with the dissonant, modern sound of the music on this CD. To hear it played cleanly and non-mechanically is wonderful, and Mr. Dean pulls it off magnificently. I don't hear one unintended string being played, not one hint of "sawing" that is so common with Hindemith's pieces (because they are, after all, somewhat abrasive to play). Mr. Dean's technique is flawless, and he doesn't allow the listener, for even a second, to put the CD on "pause" to go do something...



I liked his playing of the op.36. It is not Mozart, that is true, but nobody else was except for Mozart. Op. 36 is difficult to play, and Mr. Dean does a great job.



I am especially fond of Mr. Dean's interpretation of "Der Schwanendreher", and in particular the opening section. It is played cleanly, with feeling, and a tenderness that can only come from true understanding of the piece.



All in all, this is a superb recording, and every viola player should own it. I enthusiastically and unqualifiedly give it five stars."

Immaculate and Soulful Performances of Hindemith by Brett De

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 10/16/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Brett Dean (born 1961 in Brisbane, Australia) is beginning to be a much talked about name in the music world. Long established as a fine violist (he was a violist with the Berlin Philharmonic for fifteen years) both as an ensemble member and soloist, Dean is spending more time composing these days than playing. His recent appearance with the Los Angeles Philharmonic joined the two ventures as soloist/composer with his own Viola Concerto, a work of stunning beauty that hopefully will find its way onto a CD soon.



Meanwhile this recording of music by Paul Hindemith is one of the more satisfying collections of works for any instrument but for the viola in particular. Dean is joined by the Brisbane Queensland Symphony Orchestra conducted by Werner Andreas Albert in four of Hindemith's most beautiful compositions: 'Kammermusik No.5, for viola & orchestra', 'Konzertmusik for viola & large chamber orchestra', 'Der Schwanendreher, concerto for viola & small orchestra', and the extraordinarily moving 'Trauermusik for viola and string orchestra. Dean's liquid technique serves him well in both the treacherous passages of these works as well as the languid portions, making the viola sound more like a small cello.



For a collection of works too infrequently heard this is a recording that will please listeners whose spectrum of appreciation for many music periods is large. Brett Dean is a fine musician, in every sense of the term. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, October 06

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