Wir Bauen Eine Stadt (Spiel Für Kinder)

Wir Bauen Eine Stadt, originally composed in 1930 by Paul Hindemith as a pedagogical music play for children, reflects the composer's interest in Gebrauchsmusik, or functional music intended for social participation rather than passive concert listening. This 2006 release on Gagarin Records recontextualizes the work through the experimental lens of Holger Hiller and Thomas Fehlmann. By stripping the work of its traditional orchestral framing, the producers emphasize its minimalist, structuralist heart, bridging the gap between Weimar-era educational music and contemporary electronic composition.

The 2006 production was designed to honor Hindemith’s original vision while acknowledging the evolution of the New German Wave and electronic soundscapes associated with its producers. Hiller and Fehlmann, both significant figures in experimental music, approached the recording with a focus on rhythmic precision and clarity, aiming to preserve the playful, architectural nature of the source material. The release was received as an intriguing artifact that demonstrates the enduring adaptability of Hindemith’s compositions, appealing to collectors interested in the intersection of avant-garde history and modern electronic arrangement.