Hindemith and Hitler

I think one of the lesser known history stories is that of Paul Hindemith and Hitler. Hindemith was a violinist turned violist, and composer. After the production of his opera Mathis del Maler =, which involved the background of the Peasant's Revolt of 1524-1525, he caught the eye of the one and only Adolph Hitler. Fearing the publics reaction to the idea of rebellion against a powerful institution, Hitler put Hindemith on the degenerate music list. Also for his loud opinions of keeping Jewish people in orchestras, Hindemith became a likely target for the Nazi leader and fled the country. He fled to Switzerland with his wife, who happened to be I believe half Jewish. There he wrote several pieces of music including the Sonata for Trumpet and Piano, which often is seen as a protest piece against the Nazi regime. The third movement includes a funeral theme, which can only be assumed to represent Hindemith's grief over losing the Germany he once loved and knew.