Kammermusik (Hindemith)


Kammermusik is the name given to a series of eight musical compositions by the German composer Paul Hindemith.
Written between 1921 and 1927, the first two works are for small ensembles, and share the opus number 24. Kammermusik No. 2 to Kammermusik No. 5 are for larger ensembles and are concertos. The final two works form Opus 46.
As Calum MacDonald notes, the majority of the works are not 'chamber music' in the traditional sense of the word, as they require larger forces than normally understood by the term. Indeed, six are effectively concertos. However, in contrast to the much larger forces Hindemith previously employed, the works are very much chamber-styled if not truly chamber works.

The works

Kammermusik No. 1, op. 24 no. 1 for flute, clarinet, bassoon, trumpet, harmonium, piano, string quintet and percussion
Kleine Kammermusik, op. 24 no. 2 for wind quintet
Kammermusik No. 2, op. 36 no. 1, for piano and 12 instruments 'Piano Concerto'
Kammermusik No. 3, op. 36 no. 2, 'Cello Concerto'
Kammermusik No. 4, op. 36 no. 3, 'Violin Concerto'
Kammermusik No. 5, op. 36 no. 4, 'Viola Concerto'
Kammermusik No. 6, op. 46 no. 1, 'Concerto for viola d'amore and chamber orchestra'
Kammermusik No. 7, op. 46 no. 2, 'Concerto for organ and chamber orchestra'