Der Schwanendreher
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Paul Hindemith's Der Schwanendreher (literally, "The swan-turner", in reference to cooking over a spit) is a concerto for viola and orchestra. Der Schwanendreher occupies a place at the core of the viola concerto repertoire, along with the concertos by Walton and Bartok. It was composed in 1935 and premiered by the composer himself at a performance in Amsterdam on November 14, 1935. Each movement is based on a separate medieval German folk song, thus, it is sometimes referred to as the "Concerto from Old Folk Songs". This composition draws its title from the final movement's folk song base, "Aren't you the swan-turner?", and in many ways, has elements of 20th Century composition style, including at times clashing harmonies which were intentionally made.
The orchestra calls for 2 flutes (one doubling on piccolo), oboe, 2 clarinets, bassoon, 3 horns, trumpet, trombone, timpani, harp, and a string section of 4 cellos and 3 double basses. This orchestration is uniquely interesting due to its lack of violins and violas which benefits the composition by making it easier for the solo viola to be heard.
The movements are:
- Zwischen Berg und tiefem Tal. Langsam – Mäßig bewegt, mit Kraft (Between mountain and deep valley. Slow - Moderately moving)
- Nun laube, Lindlein, laube. Sehr ruhig – Fugato (Now grow leaves, little linden tree, grow leaves. Very calm - Fugato)
- Variationen: Seid ihr nicht der Schwanendreher? Mäßig schnell (Variations: Aren't you the swan turner? Moderately fast)
