Complete Orchestral Works 2
For the last decade or so, CPO has been the only label of note to advocate the music of Paul Hindemith (1885-1963). Not only have they gone about this advocacy with great enthusiasm, they've also sought out some of Hindemith's lesser-known works. And whileVolume Icontains Hindemith's clear masterpieces, Volume II shines with its own gems. Most notable among the major works in this set areThe Four Temperaments(1940) and the Piano Concerto (1945), both clear Romantic masterpieces and both excellently performed. Of the lesser-known works, the best are the suites from the ballets,Der Damon(1922) andHerodiade(1944). Also in Volume II are the complete cello concertos, which contain some of Hindemith's moodiest writing. The sound quality in all five discs is warm and focused with the exception of disc two, which contains somewhat muted recordings ofKammermusik No. 2andKonzertmusik. This is a minor complaint, however. Hindemith fans will want this collection if they don't already have any of these five previously released discs.--Paul Cook