Der Schwanendreher

Paul Hindemith's Der Schwanendreher (literally, "swan-turner", in reference to cooking over a spit) is a concerto for viola and orchestra. Along with the concertos by Walton and Bartok, Der Schwanendreher occupies a place in the core of the viola concerto repertoire. It was composed in 1935 and premiered by the composer himself at a performance in Amsterdam on November 14, 1935. Each movement is based on a separate medieval German folk song. This composition draws its title from the final movement's folk song base, "Aren't you the swan-turner?"

The orchestra calls for 2 flutes (one doubling on piccolo), oboe, 2 clarinets, bassoon, 3 horns, trumpet, trombone, timpani, harp, and a string section of 4 cellos and 3 double basses.

The movements are:

1. Zwischen Berg und tiefem Tal. Langsam – Mäßig bewegt, mit Kraft
2. Nun laube, Lindlein, laube. Sehr ruhig – Fugato
3. Variationen: Seid ihr nicht der Schwanendreher? Mäßig schnell