Paul Hindemith's opera “Mathis der Maler” (Mathis the Painter) premièred in Switzerland on 28 May 1938. All previous attempts to première the piece in Germany despite the ban on Hindemith’s works had failed. After a long period of hesitation, the composer left Berlin later that year together with his wife Gertrud and emigrated to Switzerland. The couple settled in a house in the village of Bluche in the canton of Valais.

This photograph from the Hindemith’s photo album, which is preserved in the composer’s estate, conveys an impression of the remoteness and the vastness of the landscape that inspired the composer. Away from the cultural-political debate surrounding his work and person, Hindemith found the peace he needed to work. In a letter to his publisher Willy Strecker dated 2 October 1938, he enthused: “The most southerly range of the Bernese Alps behind us, the snow-decked behemoths of Valais opposite, and in front of us the Rhone Valley (...).” (Hindemith-Schott – “Der Briefwechsel” (The Letters), Volume 2, 2020). He was also enamoured with his new household duties: “Sawing and chopping wood (a very healthy occupation when it involves chunks of oak), mushroom foraging and, in spring, the gardening”. (Ibid.)

This is also why Hindemith felt ambivalent about his plans to emigrate onwards to the USA in the event of war. During his exploratory forays to the USA, he also repeatedly voiced his yearning for the atmosphere in “Blusch”.

Further reading:
Schaal-Gotthardt, Susanne et al. (Hg.): Hindemith, Schott – Der Briefwechsel, Band 2: 1936–1952, Mainz: Schott 2020