In the late 1930s and early '40s, Paul Hindemith composed sonatas for many solo instruments, including some not so often heard. An example of the latter is the Sonata for Althorn, also known as a tenor horn, on this release by the fabulous wind chamber group Les Vents Français. That work exemplifies the virtues of these sonatas. To the casual listener, they may all sound similar with their characteristic quartal harmonies and strict Classical forms, but they are full of small beauties and entirely original ideas. Among these -- but hardly the end of the list -- is the spoken introduction to the finale of the Sonata for Althorn. The other sonatas are for flute, oboe, clarinet, and bassoon, accompanied in all cases by the piano of Eric Le Sage. The flute sonata is a common recital piece, but there are joys in all the pieces, and Les Vents Français continue their uncanny ability to enter quickly and fully into the spirit of unfamiliar music. The quiet lyricism, not at all coolly neo-Classical, of the brief first movement of the Bassoon Sonata in the hands of Gilbert Audin is especially noteworthy. A lovely realization of this key part of Hindemith's career.
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