Ludus Tonalis (1942): Studies in Counterpoint, Tonal Organization and Piano Playing

(Schott). The cycle of fugues is introduced and concluded by a Praeludium and Postludium, the second formed by turning the Praeludium upside down and reading it backwards. In solving technical problems he posed himself, Hindemith created a work of considerable imagination. Intellectual achievement and sheer delight in playing are shown not to be mutually exclusive. The Ludus is a graphic example of the composer's delight in the fantastic. He illustrated the work with colored pencil, drawing...