Paul Hindemith (Paul Hindemith) deservedly bears the title of one of the most gifted and talented German musicians. He brilliantly played several musical instruments, conducted, composed chamber and symphonic music, wrote many choral compositions and worked on the opera. In Germany, he became an innovator, because he believed that music should be not only a melody talented from notes, but also a kind of battery, which, after listening, can turn into a kind of moral strength.
Well-known throughout the music world German avant-garde
In the first half of the 20th century, Paul Hindemith (a short biography of which will be considered in our article) was considered an avant-garde player. He completely abandoned the then fashionable in the musical world of dodecaphony.
His music was not like anything previously written. The odious Goebbels recognized him as one of the most significant authors of Germany, but this recognition did not interfere with the relationship between Paul Hindemith and the Nazi elite will deteriorate. The most talented musician and composer was forced to leave his native country. In exile, he wrote many works on musical aesthetics, which modern musicians and musicologists still actively use in work and training. Musical works written by him, banned by the Nazis, are today classified as modern classics. Further in our article we will consider the biography, the work of Paul Hindemith and the features of his works.
Brief information about the place of birth, parents and family of the musician
Paul Hindemith, whose works are known all over the world, was born near Frankfurt, in the small town of Hanau on Main. The head of the family was an ordinary German artisan - Karl Hindemith. At first glance, it may seem strange from whom the boy could inherit incredible talent and impeccable ear for music. But it is known that his father, Karl Hindemith, being a simple house painter, was very fond of playing the zither and was a pretty good amateur musician. Most likely, it was he who instilled in his son a love of art in general, including music.
Musical talent and teaching the future genius
The boy's talent manifested itself early enough. From childhood, he was interested in and studied playing the percussion instruments, piano, violin and viola.
He received a musical education in Frankfurt, having entered the conservatory. There, Paul learned to play the violin and was engaged in conducting compositions.
The death of his father at the front and service in the army of Paul himself
In 1915, Carl - the father of Paul - dies on the battlefield. Germany participates in the First World War, and the financial situation of many German families leaves much to be desired. The family of the composer and musician was no exception. Mother Mary remained a widow with three children, and Paul was looking for a job with decent pay to at least somehow help her. During this period, he was lucky to receive a job offer as accompanist at the Frankfurt Opera. The conductor of the orchestra was Ludwig Rottenberg. An interesting fact is that Paul Hindemith subsequently married his daughter.
He managed to work as a concertmaster at the opera house until 1917. This is followed by a draft in the army. There, this talented young man, of course, did not stop his creative activity. He was accepted into the military orchestra as a drummer, and also becomes a member of the string quartet. In 1918, he plays the role of the first violin in this quartet. After completing military service, Paul returned to the Frankfurt Opera House, where he worked as accompanist until 1923.
Parish in the Likko Amara Quartet
In the early 20s in the musical community of Germany, Paul Hindemith was already known as a talented composer, violinist and viola player. Working at the Frankfurt Opera, he performed not only the work of accompanist. In parallel, the musician played the role of the second violin in the team of A. Rebner.
After returning from the army, Hindemith decided to play the viola in this team.
Over time, Paul considered the musical preferences of his mentor Rebner too conservative. Therefore, he changed the team and began to work as part of another quartet - under the guidance of the famous violinist Likko Amar. This team lasted until 1929 and, without a doubt, was a huge success not only in the homeland, but also far beyond its borders.
Performing the role of viola in it, Paul had the opportunity to tour a lot and see a large number of European countries.
The rapid development of a successful career
Paul Hindemith is a composer whose compositions the general public first heard in 1922, in the city of Salzburg, during World Music Days. The success of his compositions was obvious, although it caused a lot of discussion. In 1923, he was appointed the organizer of the Contemporary Music Festival, which was held in a city called Donaueschingen. Paul remained faithful to his preferences for innovative directions in music, and actively promoted the works of avant-garde composers at this festival. During the concerts he performed the viola repertoire himself.
In 1927, Hindemith was offered a place as a composition teacher at the Berlin Higher Music School, and he accepted it. The next few years for his career were very successful. In addition to teaching, Paul is actively engaged in a solo career and tours as an violist. His concerts are a stunning success in the USA, he gives performances in many countries, including Egypt and Turkey.
A symbol of the complex relationship between the Nazi regime and creative people in Germany
In the 30s, the Nazi party came to power, relations with which the musician and composer have a difficult relationship. One of the reasons is Paul's wife - Gertrude Rotenberg, with whom he entered into official marriage in 1924. The fact that, according to religious canons, she was not considered Jewish, did not matter much to the Nazis.
The musician’s father-in-law Ludwig Rotenberg was a Jew, and that was enough. Like many creative people, Paul Hindemith (whose biography we are considering) considered himself a completely apolitical person. He openly communicated with his Jewish colleagues, composers and musicians, making no exceptions on ethnic grounds. Of course, the Nazi party did not like this, but in the early 30s, communication with the Jews was not enough to prohibit the musician's work. That is why claims to this very creativity gradually began to appear.
The Nazi attitude to the works of Paul was changeable and ambiguous. At first he was even praised. In 1934, Goebbels himself called Hindemith one of the most significant and talented German composers of our time. For some time, Paul was even under the peculiar patronage of the Nazis. His works really liked some representatives of the German government. The international reputation of this composer and musician also played a large role, which did not allow the Nazis to get rid of him.
Hindemith’s position was really difficult, and for security reasons he showed the authorities his willingness to compromise. In a short time, Paul begins to show his German identity and worldview in new compositions. In new works, he pays a lot of attention to German folklore, writes instrumental works in a peculiar harmonious and clear manner (characteristic of German marches). For some time he lives in the country relatively calmly, but the ideology of the Third Reich could not please the friendship with the Jews and the opinion of Hindemith that a man of art should be completely free and independent.
Open confrontation with representatives of German authorities
Paul Hindemith, whose music is admirable in many countries, falls into open disfavor in his homeland. The climax of the unspoken conflict takes place in 1934. Goering officially bans Hindemith’s upcoming opera entitled Artist Mathis. In one of his speeches, J. Goebels calls the composer “an atonal noise producer, noise producer”. Nazi critics call his works "degenerative art." Under strong moral pressure, Hindemith stops his work at the Berlin school, taking a vacation for an indefinite period.
Departure to Turkey and return to "service" to Hitler
During this difficult period, Paul receives an offer from Mustafa Atatürk, a Turkish politician and reformer, to visit Ankara and help develop a plan to reorganize music education in Turkey. Spouses Hindemity agree to the proposal and temporarily leave Germany. Paul did an excellent job of his task, thereby making a huge contribution to the creation of a universal program of music education, which began to be used in all Turkish musical educational institutions. He made a lot of efforts to open the first music conservatory in Ankara. Despite the fact that in Turkey, the composer and musician enjoyed great respect, unlike many emigrants who fled from Germany at that time, he and his wife soon decided to return home.
After returning, Paul again has to make many compromises with the German authorities. In 1936, he swore allegiance to Hitler. The composer composes the legendary Luftwaffe anthem, his works filled with "German" motifs begin to be performed in concert halls throughout Germany. But this "world" with the Nazis did not last long. In Germany, an open struggle begins against modernist musical trends. The Germans call them "degenerative." Paul’s works (with the exception of a few) fall under this definition and, in the end, their execution in Germany is ultimately banned.
In addition, anti-Jewish measures are being strengthened in the country. Hindemith begins to seriously fear for the safety of his wife, who is periodically threatened with physical harm. Realizing that his work does not belong in Germany, the composer, viola player and violinist Hindemith Paul makes the final decision to leave this country.
Departure from Germany and return to the post-war period
In 1938, Paul moved to Switzerland, and after 2 years he emigrated with his wife to the United States. In America, he is invited to lecture at prestigious universities such as Yale and Harvard. Despite the fact that Hindemith could be blamed for past attempts to collaborate with the Nazis, in America his works were performed and were a resounding success. He was called the exception in the world of German music of that era, since it was free from Nazi influence.
It was during his stay in America that the peak of his creative career fell. In 1946, he received US citizenship, but a few years later, in 1953, he moved to Zurich. There he gives lectures at a local university and conducts orchestras performing his work.
Still, this genius man said goodbye to life in his own country, in Germany. He returned to Frankfurt, where he died in 1963 from an attack of pancreatitis.
Hindemith's invaluable musical heritage
Paul Hindemith was a recognized authoritative music theorist, musician, teacher, conductor.
This man left behind a huge number of works in various musical genres, wrote a huge number of works for the orchestra, composed chamber music for various instruments, works for ballet, choir and, of course, for opera.
