Originally published in the 1940s, Paul Hindemith's remakable textbooks are still the outstanding works of their kind. In contrast to many musical textbooks written by academic musicians, these were produced by a man who could play every instrument of the orchestra, could compose a satisfying piece for almost every kind of ensemble, and who was one of the most stimulating teachers of his day. It is therefore not surprising that nearly forty years later these books should remain essential reading for the student and the professional musician. Introductory * The Medium * The Nature of the Building Stones * Harmony * Melody * Analyses

保罗欣德米特（Hindemith,paul 1895-1963）是二十世纪重要的德国作曲教师，先后任教于柏林国立音乐学院（1927、1949）、耶鲁大学（1940）、哈佛大学（1949）、苏黎世大学（1951）何伯克夏夏季音乐班的高级作曲班（1940），1935年还创办了安卡拉音乐学校。作为著名作曲家，它在作品中对传统形式和调性有着高度灵活的处理（然而却被先锋派视为一个“极端保守主义者”）；作为教师它认为向学生传授音乐基本原理，使学生尊重每个实用的环节是他的指责，《作曲技法》正是他这一主张的体现。