BIOGRAPHY
Paul Hindemith (1895-1963) was a German composer, violinist, and conductor. He was one of the most important and influential composers of his time and a central figure of German music between the World Wars.
Hindemith was trained in classical music and studied violin with Eugène Ysaÿe. He was a member of the Frankfurt Orchestra from 1915 to 1923, then taught music at the Leopold Stokowski Institute of Philadelphia from 1930 to 1932. Upon his return to Germany, he was appointed music director at the University of Berlin, and later music director at Yale University in 1940.
He composed numerous works for orchestra, choir, soloists, and chamber ensembles. Among his most famous works are the Violin Concerto (1939), Mathis der Maler (1934), Nobilissima Visione (1938), and the Piano Concerto (1946).
Hindemith received numerous awards and accolades, including the Goethe Prize in 1948 and the Schiller Prize in 1963. His music was performed worldwide and he was regarded as one of the most important composers of his time.