Memorials & tributes

Silhouette de Paul Hindemith

Type

“Rencontres & Inspiration” silhouette

Address

Parc Mon Foyer, Blonay

Paul Hindemith (1895-1963) is one of the major composers of the twentieth century, and was also a violist, violinist, teacher and conductor. His music was declared “degenerate” by the Nazi regime; he left Germany in 1938 for Switzerland, then moved on to the United States. In 1951 he became professor of musicology in Zurich and, in 1953, settled with his wife Gertrud at the Villa La Chance in Blonay. Urged to return to Germany for good, he refused: this would be his anchor for his last ten years. In November 1963 he conducted the premiere of his “Mass” in Vienna, fell ill shortly afterwards and died in Frankfurt on 28 December. He was buried on 4 January 1964 in the cemetery of La Chiésaz, in Saint-Légier, very close to his home. Blonay is today the seat of the Hindemith Foundation.

Related artists :Paul Hindemith