Political Protest in Paul Hindemith's Sonata for Trumpet and Piano
While residing in Switzerland after being exiled from his native Germany for his music, Paul Hindemith composed his Sonata for Trumpet and Piano. A veteran of the German army, Hindemith watched from afar as the Nazi party began destroying the country that he loved. Hindemith wrote sonatas for nearly every instrument, but packaged within his trumpet sonata is a political statement against the rise of the Nazi party. The same ideas that manifest themselves in Hindemith’s music are evident in his writings. This session will explore the connection between Hindemith’s experiences and beliefs, the stormy political climate leading up to World War II, and musical elements of Hindemith’s trumpet sonata through discussion and performance.
Keywords: Music, Trumpet, Politics, Hindemith, Nazi Germany
Topic(s):Music
Presentation Type: Performance Art
Session: 313-2
Location: OP Performance Hall
Time: 1:50