Hindemith: Wind Sonatas

"These Hindemith sonatas are a great asset to the wind repertory," says the oboist François Leleux. He is speaking of five works for solo instruments and piano, performed by members of wind 'supergroup' Les Vents Français and pianist Eric le Sage.

Though dating from the dramatic years between 1936 and 1943, these compact works are optimistic, lucid and engaging. They are written for flute (Emmanuel Pahud), oboe (Leleux), clarinet (Paul Meyer), bassoon (Gilbert Audin) and alto horn (Radovan Vlatkovic).

"Hindemith took a very particular approach to each instrument, with a wonderful sense for its individual sound," continues Leleux. "Each carries his distinctive signature ... His approach is very human and playful - expressive and lyrical and never over-intellectual."

A prolific composer, Paul Hindemith is closely identified with the viola, but he was also a skilled clarinettist and pianist who could transfer his skills to virtually any other instrument. In 1939 he wrote to his publisher: "You will be surprised that I am writing sonatas for all the wind instruments ... It is meritorious over the long term to enrich this literature. And since I myself have been so interested in playing wind instruments, I take great pleasure in these pieces."