Der Schwanendreher
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Paul Hindemith's Der Schwanendreher (literally, "swan-turner", in reference to cooking over a spit) was composed in 1935. It is a viola concerto, which already makes it unusual (Hindemith himself played the viola). Each movement is based on a separate folk song. This composition draws its title from the final movement's folk song base, "Aren't you the swan-turner?"
The orchestra calls for 2 flutes (one doubling on piccolo), oboe, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 3 horns, trumpet, trombone, timpani, harp, and a string section of 4 cellos and 3 double basses
The movements are:
- Zwischen Berg un tiefem Tal. Langsam – Mäßig bewegt, mit Kraft
- Nun laube, Lindlein, laube. Sehr ruhig – Fugato
- Variationen: Seid ihr nicht der Schwanendreher? Mäßig schnell