Hindemith, for the record

Andrew Leu ’13

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An undergraduate orchestra appearing on a major classical label? It’s rare, and for the Yale Symphony Orchestra (YSO), a first. The CD of Paul Hindemith’s five piano concerti, with acclaimed pianist Idil Biret (at left, seated at piano), will be released by Naxos in May to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Hindemith’s death.

The collaboration closes a historical loop: Biret is from Turkey, and the YSO toured Turkey in 2010 and performed with her. Paul Hindemith, too, spent time in Turkey. Before he taught at Yale from 1940 to 1953, the composer helped to reorganize the music education system and establish major music institutions in the newly formed Turkish republic.