Customer Reviews

Hindemith: Sonatas for Brass and Piano

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Along with Schoenberg, Hindemith was one of Gould's favorite composers--and one who's cultural stock was elevated because of Gould's advocation and artisitc realizations. The various sonatas for piano and brass instruments are a case in point. Beethoven dashed off a sonata for piano and French horn (his Op. 17); Brahms, of course, ripened the sonata for piano and clarinet; Saint-Saens wrote a nice sonata for piano and oboe; but who--of all people--would write a sonata for piano and tuba? Why, Hindemith, of course: he wrote at least one sonata for every instrument in the orchestra and piano. So, we have sonatas for trombone and piano, French horn and piano, et cetera. My only complaint is that on this recording the sonata for alto saxophone and piano is performed on an "alto horn." Alack, one can't have everything. As a bonus, Gould reads a little poetry on one of the tracks. In case you haven't heard his voice, it sounds exactly like a non-French Canadian. This brace of discs is well worth adding to any good collection.
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Reissued on: Complete Sonatas for Brass Ensemble
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Like the wonderfully expressive Schumann Piano Quartet/Quintet recording with Julliard Qt, again Glenn Gould proves to be a superb partner in chamber music, this time with members of Philadelphia Brass Ensemble.

Each work is amazingly rich and original, you discover something new each time you listen to it. Gould's love for Hindemith's music is apparent, he gives inspired performances with clarity and intimacy.

Recorded in excellent stereo in 1975&76.

This was the second Hindemith I have hear. The first was the Gould version of his 3 piano sonatas. The music was beautiful and it has made me look for and purchase other Hindemith played by Gould.