Jansons conducts An Alpine Symphony by Richard Strauss

Featuring

Mariss Jansons
Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks
Richard Strauss

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Compositional Technique

Strauss stated that he only perfected his orchestration during the composition of Eine Alpensinfonie, particularly in sections like the 'Waterfall' where instruments like celesta, harp, triangle, and glockenspiel create sparkling effects.

Performer Biography

Mariss Jansons served as Chief Conductor of the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks from 2003 until his death in 2019, marking a significant era for the ensemble.

Performer Biography

Mariss Jansons, the conductor on this album, was born in Riga in 1943 and studied violin, piano, and conducting at the Leningrad Conservatory.

Composition History

Eine Alpensinfonie was originally conceived in 1911 as a two-part symphonic poem called 'Antichrist,' based on Nietzsche's critique of Christianity, but Strauss modified this plan in 1914.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Strauss himself flippantly explained that he had merely wanted 'to compose like a cow gives milk' when referring to his Eine Alpensinfonie, completed and premiered in 1915.

Composer Biography

Strauss was able to purchase his Garmisch villa, from which he could admire the alpine panorama, with royalties from his opera Salome.

Compositional Technique

Richard Strauss's Eine Alpensinfonie (An Alpine Symphony) is scored for approximately 130 instrumentalists, including at least 12 horn players, making it one of the most extensively orchestrated nature descriptions.