Luca Ranieri, Orchestra Ico Suoni Del Sud & Marco Moresco - Hindemith: Der Schwanendreher (2025)

Paul Hindemith's Der Schwanendreher is a viola concerto based on medieval German folk songs. While the "swan turner" literally meant someone who turned the spit of a roasting swan, metaphorically he was referring to a traveling minstrel whose barrel organ or lyre was driven by a swan-neck handle.

He composed the work between September and October 1935 and it was premiered at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, with the composer (a virtuoso violist who did much to enhance the instrument) as soloist. In it, Hindemith creates a musical "structure" that emphasizes the solo viola by contrasting it with a uniquely scored tutti ensemble of winds with four cellos and three double basses. The slow introduction of the first movement is followed by a section in classical sonata form with an orchestration reminiscent of the world and art of minstrel playing.

The second movement begins with a mournful dialog between viola and harp, inspired by an old song about lost love. This is followed by a contrasting fugato in which the sadness of the cuckoo (an omen of doom) is softened by the musical design. The third movement contains seven variations of the eponymous song "Schwanendreher", whose cheerful, light character is skillfully expressed through dazzling rhythmic articulation.

Hindemith, a prolific and versatile composer, was initially attracted to expressionism and atonal harmony before turning to a neo-baroque style on his way to abstract objectivity. Towards the end of the first quarter of the 20th century, Hindemith was one of the leading representatives of Gebrauchsmusik, a musical approach that took into account social needs rather than individual abstract aesthetic feelings.

It led to the creation of many pieces of music for amateurs, but without compromising on quality. It was in this context that Hindemith composed the Schulwerk für Instrumental-Zusammenspiel between March and April 1927. The music, conceived for a youth orchestra, is by no means uninteresting or technically simple. The fourth part consists of the Five Pieces for a five-part string orchestra, with an additional solo violin in the fifth piece. Although the movement structure adheres to certain technical limits, the score is bursting with expressive variety, rhythmic dynamics, harmonic freedom and tonal sensitivity - all hallmarks of Hindemith's creative period.

They demonstrate the composer's contrapuntal expertise, which is particularly evident in the third piece, Lebhaft, with its direct reference to Johann Sebastian Bach. In these instructional works, Hindemith's meticulous attention to detail reveals a distinctly German penchant for musical craftsmanship that meets the expectations of even professional musicians.

- Recorded in March 2023 in the Sala Bianca, Foggia, Italy

- The bilingual booklet (English and Italian) contains liner notes by Alberto Mammarella.

- Paul Hindemith (1895-1963) was one of the most important and influential composers of 20th century Germany. His versatile style combines a variety of influences such as expressionism, neoclassicism and even jazz. His music is energetic, rhythmically lively, witty and cheerful, but can also express deeper and tragic feelings.

- Der Schwanendreher is a viola concerto by Paul Hindemith from 1935. The title means "The Swan Turner" and refers to a medieval kitchen servant who turned roasting spits. The piece is based on old German folk songs, giving it a unique combination of modernity and tradition. Hindemith, himself a violist, premiered it with the Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam under the direction of Willem Mengelberg. The work is appreciated for its imaginative orchestration, its lyrical themes and the balance between historical charm and contemporary technique.

- Performed by Luca Ranieri (viola) and the orchestra Ico Suoni Del Sud under the direction of Mario Moresco.

TRACKLIST

1. Luca Ranieri, Orchestra Ico Suoni Del Sud & Marco Moresco - Hindemith: Der Schwanendreher, IPH 125: I. "Zwischen Berg und tiefem Tal" (Langsam - Mäßig bewegt, mit Kraft)
2. Luca Ranieri, Orchestra Ico Suoni Del Sud & Marco Moresco - Hindemith: Der Schwanendreher, IPH 125: II. "Nun laube, Lindlein, laube!" (Sehr ruhig) Fugato. "Der Gutzgauch auf dem Zaune saß"
3. Luca Ranieri, Orchestra Ico Suoni Del Sud & Marco Moresco - Hindemith: Der Schwanendreher, IPH 125: III. Variationen "Seid ihr nicht der Schwanendreher" (Mäßig schnell)
4. Luca Ranieri, Orchestra Ico Suoni Del Sud & Marco Moresco - Hindemith: 5 Stücke, Op. 44 No. 4: I. Langsam
5. Luca Ranieri, Orchestra Ico Suoni Del Sud & Marco Moresco - Hindemith: 5 Stücke, Op. 44 No. 4: II. Langsam - Schnell
6. Luca Ranieri, Orchestra Ico Suoni Del Sud & Marco Moresco - Hindemith: 5 Stücke, Op. 44 No. 4: III. Lebhaft
7. Luca Ranieri, Orchestra Ico Suoni Del Sud & Marco Moresco - Hindemith: 5 Stücke, Op. 44 No. 4: IV. Sehr langsam
8. Luca Ranieri, Orchestra Ico Suoni Del Sud & Marco Moresco - Hindemith: 5 Stücke, Op. 44 No. 4: V. Lebhaft