Probably Hindemith’s most successful orchestral work, “Symphonic
Metamorphoses” are characterized by virtuosity, imagination, and humour. Not simply a set of variations on themes by Weber, Hindemith freely transformed the music into his own style, with the themes losing their original tonal character or appearing in an entirely new rhythmical manner. The high-spirited jazz fugato for wind instruments and percussion is rousing whilst the second movement, the ‚Turandot scherzo‘, fascinates by its pentatonic motif that is reminiscent of Chinese music. A lively march introduced by resolute fanfares closes this popular work.
CD: Yan Pascal Tortelier, Conductor - BBC Philharmonic, Chandos Records CHAN 9903
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