BIOGRAPHY
Paul Hindemith (1895-1963) was a German composer, violinist, teacher, and conductor. He was one of the most important musical figures of the 20th century, and his work had a profound impact on the development of classical music.
Hindemith was born in Hanau, Germany, on November 16, 1895. He began his musical education at a young age, and by the age of 16, he was already an accomplished violinist. He studied violin with Eugen Jochum and composition with Hermann Grabner.
Hindemith's first major composition was his String Quartet (1916), which was well received by the public and critics. He went on to write a number of other successful works, including the opera Mathis der Maler (1934) and the Violin Concerto (1939).
During the Nazi regime, Hindemith was denounced as a "degenerate" composer and his music was banned. He left Germany in 1938 and settled in the United States, where he taught at Yale University.
Hindemith returned to Germany in 1953 and resumed his teaching career. He died in Frankfurt on December 28, 1963.
Hindemith was a highly influential composer, and his work had a significant impact on the development of 20th century music. His music is characterized by its structural clarity and traditional tonality. He is considered one of the leading composers of the so-called "neoclassical" style.