The Mathis der Maler symphony (Mathias the Painter) was composed between 193334 while Hindemith worked on an opera of the same name. It’s a three movement work that received a very successful premier under Wilhelm
Kurtwangler and the Berlin Philharmonic. The political implications of the work however caused much controversy within the ruling Nazi party; so much so that it led to Kurtwangler having to step down as music director of the orchestra and Hindemith to leave Germany before the outbreak of World War II.
Hindemith wrote both the music and the libretto for his opera, which follows a fictional account of the life and artistic dilemma of Mathis Grunewald (born Mathis Gothart Niethart 14601528).
Mathis lived in Germany during the
Peasants’ War of 152425, where serfs inspired by the Reformation …show more content…
For each movement of his symphony, Hindemith draws scenic inspiration from Grunewald’s most famous artistic work; the altarpiece at Isenheim.
I. Engelkonzert (Angelic Concert) based on the opera’s overture. Scene where Mary and the infant Jesus are being serenaded by angels. Painting has a striking lighting which Hindemith aims to encapsulate within the beginning of this movement. Hindemith’s version of medieval German song found in the brass melodies.
II. Grablegung (Entombment) based on a panel depicting the crucified Jesus being laid in the tomb. Comes from the last scene in the opera. A beautiful blending of string and woodwind textures that is brought all together by the profundity of the brass in the end of the movement.
III. Versuchung des heiligen Antonius (Temptation of St. Anthony) Last movement is a movement of explosive forces.
Wholly symphonic creation using music from the extended climactic scene in the opera. One can almost hear the subject St. Anthony being musically tormented by the grotesque demons depicted in Grunewald’s panel painting. The piece closes with a tumultuous contrapuntal sprint to the
Kurtwangler and the Berlin Philharmonic. The political implications of the work however caused much controversy within the ruling Nazi party; so much so that it led to Kurtwangler having to step down as music director of the orchestra and Hindemith to leave Germany before the outbreak of World War II.
Hindemith wrote both the music and the libretto for his opera, which follows a fictional account of the life and artistic dilemma of Mathis Grunewald (born Mathis Gothart Niethart 14601528).
Mathis lived in Germany during the
Peasants’ War of 152425, where serfs inspired by the Reformation …show more content…
For each movement of his symphony, Hindemith draws scenic inspiration from Grunewald’s most famous artistic work; the altarpiece at Isenheim.
I. Engelkonzert (Angelic Concert) based on the opera’s overture. Scene where Mary and the infant Jesus are being serenaded by angels. Painting has a striking lighting which Hindemith aims to encapsulate within the beginning of this movement. Hindemith’s version of medieval German song found in the brass melodies.
II. Grablegung (Entombment) based on a panel depicting the crucified Jesus being laid in the tomb. Comes from the last scene in the opera. A beautiful blending of string and woodwind textures that is brought all together by the profundity of the brass in the end of the movement.
III. Versuchung des heiligen Antonius (Temptation of St. Anthony) Last movement is a movement of explosive forces.
Wholly symphonic creation using music from the extended climactic scene in the opera. One can almost hear the subject St. Anthony being musically tormented by the grotesque demons depicted in Grunewald’s panel painting. The piece closes with a tumultuous contrapuntal sprint to the