Paul Hindemith (1895–1963), Eight pieces

The composer, violist, music theorist and conductor Paul Hindemith studied violin and composition at the Frankfurt Conservatory. At the age of 19 he became concertmaster at the Frankfurt Opera and a few years later he had his first major successes as a composer. As a violist in the Amar Quartet, which Hindemith had co-founded in 1922, he began an active concert career and premiered numerous compositions of his own and those of colleagues he was friends with.

He was particularly interested in the musical education of amateurs.

When the National Socialists came to power, Hindemith had to contend with increasing and increasingly violent hostilities, which culminated in a 1936 ban on the performance of his works in Germany. In 1938, Hindemith and his wife decided to emigrate first to Switzerland and then to America.