H.I.F. Biber: Partita for 2 Viola d’amore; P. Hindemith: Chamber Music No. 6, Op. 46 No. 1, Little Sonata, Op. 25 No.2; C. Stamitz: Sonata in D Major for Viola d’amore

Artist: Gunter Teuffel (Viola d’amore), various soloists of the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra (SWR)

December 28th, 2013 marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Paul Hindemith – reason enough to take a look at a lesser known side of this versatile composer. From 1922 on, Hindemith began to deal extensively with the viola d’amore. It was the Little Sonata, Op. 25 No. 2, a work which Hindemith himself featured on several concert programmes, together with the works of other composers for the viola d’amore of Hindemith’s time. Hindemith was fascinated by the instrument and in 1926 had one specifically made for him (which instead of the usual angel is decorated with the head of his wife, Gertrud).

In addition to the Little Sonata, this CD contains the Kammermusic No. 6 and works by Stamitz and Biber with the basso continuo parts realized by Hindemith. Our soloist, Gunter Teuffel plays Hindemith’s own viola d’amore, a fact that gives the whole production a unique “personal” sound. Because of this connection, the CD not only presents a very interesting new facet of Hindemith, but as a result of the unique sensitivity of the musicians, is a particularly intimate encounter with the composer.