Hindemith Chansons With Bach Motet

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31656, 17 April 1968, Page 15

Hindemith Chansons With Bach Motet

The University of Canterbury Madrigal Singers will sing the "Six Chansons” by Paul Hindemith, and the motet "Jesus, Meine Freude,” by J. S. Bach in a lunch-time concert at 1.10 p.m. on Thursday. The poems—six miniatures by Rainer Maria Rilke—speak of the seasons, animal life and the natural scene in an idiom so personal as to present a challenge to the composer if he is to add their effectiveness. The unaccompanied settings (all for mixed chorus) range over a complete palate of expression, using the voices in a great variety of ways designed to underline the poetic ideas. Hindemith spares no labour

in his attempts to bring home the beauty of the imaginefy—from deep sonorous chords in "A Swan,” to brittle scurrying sounds in “Since all is Passing.” Although difficult, these chansons are most rewarding to sing, the deep sincerity and ability of both poet and composer giving the choir a sense of responsibility. “Jesu, Joy and Treasure," one of Bach’s best known motets, is based on the six verses of Johann Franks’s hymn "Flora, Meine Freude," which are surrounded by doctrinal verses from Romans VIII. The recurring chorale melody appears in both ale and ornamental forms, ng the motet together thematically.