Composer

:

Paul Hindemith

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1927

Average_duration

:

10:48

'Hin und Zurück' is a one-act opera composed by Paul Hindemith in 1927. The opera premiered on December 1, 1927, at the Frankfurt Opera House. The libretto was written by Hindemith's brother-in-law, Marcellus Schiffer, and the opera was dedicated to the memory of Hindemith's mother. The plot of 'Hin und Zurück' revolves around a married couple, Mr. and Mrs. Lummer, who are visited by their friends, Mr. and Mrs. Eißlinger. The two couples spend the evening together, drinking and chatting. Suddenly, Mrs. Lummer dies, and the opera takes a surreal turn. The characters begin to speak in nonsense language, and the action becomes increasingly absurd. Eventually, Mrs. Lummer is resurrected, and the opera ends with the characters singing a hymn of praise. 'Hin und Zurück' is notable for its use of sprechgesang, a style of singing that is halfway between speaking and singing. This technique was popularized by Arnold Schoenberg, and Hindemith was one of its most prominent practitioners. The opera also features a twelve-tone row, a technique that was also pioneered by Schoenberg. The music of 'Hin und Zurück' is characterized by its dissonance and angularity. The vocal lines are often jagged and fragmented, and the orchestration is spare and austere. The opera is scored for a small ensemble, consisting of flute, clarinet, bassoon, trumpet, trombone, percussion, piano, and strings. Despite its brevity and experimental nature, 'Hin und Zurück' was well-received by audiences and critics alike. It was seen as a bold and innovative work, and it helped to establish Hindemith as one of the leading composers of his generation. Today, 'Hin und Zurück' is regarded as a classic of twentieth-century opera, and it continues to be performed and studied by musicians and scholars around the world.

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