Hindemith: Variations (1936) -- unexpectedly pianistic

Paul Hindemith (1985-1963) was a prolific German composer, music theorist, teacher, and conductor. He could play many instruments and wrote interesting chamber music for uncommon instruments.

In 1930s his music was often condemned as "degenerate" and Hindemith moved to Turkey in 1936, the same year the Nazis banned his music. This set of variations was originally composed as the second movement in the first piano sonata. Nevertheless Walter Gieseking, who was scheduled to give the premiere, suggested that Hindemith should write something different. The variations remained unpublished until after Hindemith’s death.

Here are my impressions on each variation.

Theme: the first measure starts with the same notes as La-Folia, but the entire melody line has longer breath. The accompaniment adds coloring with interesting harmony like Bartok did.

Var1: interesting question-and-answers can be heard. The dynamic (mf - p) contrast was opposite to what I expected. I misplayed them. The question part is supposed to be played in mf, and this is OK. The answer part should be played in p, but my contrast is not clear enough. The element of "prayer" is lost.

Var2: bravura octave technique with small echoes.

Var3: graceful trills. very pianistic, unusual with Hindemith.

Var4: a slow march, among the favorite forms of this composer.

The exact reason of Gieseking's advise is not known, but the repetitions and dialogue-like development as well as the victorious conclusion might appear too strong a message of rebellion against Nazis.

In youtube Hindemith is generally very well-played (by Becker, Walker, and Hammond to name a few). I do not think my clip has anything to add to the web library except that even a hobby pianist is fascinated with this extraordinary piece. Here Hindemith's writing is accessible because of simple question and answer form and simple counterpoints. The pedal effect on Var3 (trill) is impressive.

instrument: steinway B211