HINDEMITH : Music for Viola and Orchestra (Lawrence Power · BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra · David Atherton) (2010) Serie The Complete Hindemith Viola Music – 3 | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Vol. 3 of Lawrence Power's survey of the complete Hindemith work for viola features a cluster of works written for viola and orchestra in the short time between 1927 and 1930. Though Hindemith did not write a traditional concerto in the classical sense, the Op. 48 Konzertmusik, Kammermusik No. 5, and Der Schwanendreher each put the viola's abilities at the forefront of the orchestra. His personal knowledge of the instrument's technical, lyrical, and emotive abilities become quickly apparent as the viola is made to scurry around as nimbly as a violin in Konzertmusik, as emotionally rich as a cello in Trauermusik, or as colorful and evocative as a piano in Der Schwanendreher. All of these many moods are captured effortlessly by Power. His playing balances the clarity needed to execute agile passagework with the richness and depth needed for more lyrical sections. What's more, Power never gives the appearance of trying to make the viola sound like a violin; instead, he celebrates the viola's idiosyncrasies and transforms them into a rich, satisfying tapestry of sound. Joined by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra under David Atherton, Vol. 3 of Power's hefty undertaking is just as worthwhile and engaging as the previous two and is certainly worth checking out. Mike D. Brownell

Paul Hindemith (1895-1963)

1-5.    Konzertmusik Op 48    (19:51)
6-8.    Der Schwanendreher - Concerto After Old Folksongs, For Viola And Small Orchestra    (26:29
9.    I Langsam - II Ruhig Bewegt - III Lebhaft - IV Choral 'Vor Deinen Thron Tret Ich Hiermit'    7:46
10-13.    Kammermusik No 5 Op 36 No 4    (18:44)

Conductor – David Atherton
Illustration [Front: Broken Forms] – Franz Marc
Leader, Violin – Elizabeth Layton
Orchestra – BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Viola – Lawrence Power