Hindemith, P :: 8 Stucke [8 Pieces]

8 Stucke [8 Pieces]

Hindemith, P

Acht Stucke [Eight Pieces] for solo flute composed in 1927 by Paul Hindemith is an advanced unaccompanied set of short works for the collegiate and above level flutist.

Born in Germany in 1895, Paul Hindemith was one of the principal German composers of the first half of the 20th century, as well as a leading musical theorist. He devised his own compositional process and sought to revitalize tonality. The result is a large collection of works that have Hindemith's flair for interesting consonance and dissonance, and a charm that highlights the virtuosic possibilities of performers and instruments alike.

An intricate and cohesive blend of eccentric and beautiful melodies, the Acht Stucke fur Flote allein (Eight Pieces for Solo Flute) are an example of artistic expression. These pieces, composed in 1927, illustrate Hindemith s music of the late 1920s when his music served a function and had a practical role. The particular function of this work helps a performer practice breath control, artistic expression, tempo regulation, and performance etiquette. According to Julie Stone, professor of ute at Eastern Michigan University, this work challenges the imagination of the performer to create the personalities of the characters within each of the eight movements while conveying their stories. The pacing of the work is essential to the performance, including the time between movements and tempo and rubato changes within the eight movements.

- Kelsey Beisecker, 2017