Complete Orchestral Works, Vol. 1 [Box set]

Paul Hindemith (Composer), Werner Andreas Albert (Conductor), Queensland Symphony (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Queensland Symphony
• Conductor: Werner Andreas Albert
• Composer: Paul Hindemith
• Audio CD (January 25, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 6
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Cpo Records
• ASIN: B000001RXO
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #246,023 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #68 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Symphonies > Sinfonia

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hindemith, Hindemith, Hindemith!!!!!, May 14, 2005

By 

Franz Escobar "franzescobar" (Smithtown, New York United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Complete Orchestral Works, Vol. 1 (Audio CD)

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.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great performances of a great composer, August 22, 2006

By 

Michael Suh - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Complete Orchestral Works, Vol. 1 (Audio CD)

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.

6 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars DIDN'T THINK THAT THEY MADE THEM LIKE THIS ANYMORE, December 7, 2002

By 

Duane E. Crawford (Rolette, ND USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Complete Orchestral Works, Vol. 1 (Audio CD)

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.

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra under Werner Andreas Albert just goes to show the universality of good music. Notice I didn't say classical music.
This is a real buy. Das Merienleben by Christophorus-Verlag GmbhI bought up in Regina Canada in June of 1995. I don't see it listed but would recommend it for parts like the suspicions of Joseph. CPO has many German composers I don't have like Reicha. Sancta Susanna from 1998 conducted by Yam Pascal Tortelier is by Chandos ASIN:B00005Z6V. I am eagerly awaiting it from Amazon.