First edition, first impression. 316pp, with monochrome plate frontispience and occasional further black and white plate illustrations in text. Brown cloth-covered boards, gilt titles to spine. 8vo. Cloth very slightly brushed, a little rounded on corners and spine ends. Stamp of the Frederick Harris Music Company on the front free endpaper, together with a previous owner's name inked at the top else internally neat, clean, bright and tight. In its original illustrated, laminated dust wrapper, a little shelf worn and lightly bumped at spine ends. Paul Hindemith was a prominent 20th century German composer, violist, and music theorist known for his prolific output and innovative contributions to classical music. He was a leading figure in the New Objectivity movement and a proponent of "Gebrauchsmusik" (or "utility music") aimed at making music more accessible. Hindemith's career spanned both Europe and America, where he taught, conducted, and composed a wide variety of works, including operas, symphonies, and chamber music, before his death in 1963