SONATA

In 1943, Hindemith was in his third year of teaching at Yale University in the States when he wrote the Sonata for Althorn and Piano. (Confusingly, 'Althorn' is German for the British 'Tenor Horn', most often played in brass bands). Perhaps because it was written for quite an obscure instrument, the sonata was not published until 1956 when the present edition appeared, and Hindemith gave his blessing to the use of substitute instruments, particularly the alto saxophone.

The pastoral nostalgia of the short first movement contrasts strongly with the counterpoint and irregular metre of the second where the piano does not so much accompany the solo line as contradict it. Lyricism returns in the mere fourteen bars of the slow third movement and the fourth is preceded by a poem, shared by soloist and pianist, which sets the mood of conflict between the serenity of the solo part and the agitation of the accompaniment. "Your task it is, amid confusion, rush, and noise / to grasp the lasting, calm, and meaningful, / and finding it anew, to hold and treasure it."

• II Lebhaft ('Lively')
• III Sehr langsam ('Very slow')
• IV Lebhaft

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