Pfitzner, H.: Symphony in C Major / Strauss, R.: Don Juan / Till Eulenspiegels Lustige Streiche (Staatskapelle Dresden Edition, Vol. 13)

Featuring

Karl Böhm
Kurt Striegler
Hanns Ander-Donath
Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden
Hans Pfitzner
Richard Strauss

Did you know?

1/7

Instruments

The 'Festive Prelude' recording features the Silbermann organ in the Dresden Frauenkirche, which had its original tonal characteristics restored in 1943.

Recording & Production

The recording of the 'Festive Präludium' is a historical document of inestimable value, as it is the last recording made in the Dresden Frauenkirche before its destruction in 1945.

Cultural Impact

The Dresden Staatskapelle became known worldwide as the 'Strauss orchestra' due to its continuous performance tradition of his works and the premieres of nine of his operas.

Composer Biography

Richard Strauss's personal and artistic relationship with the Dresden Staatskapelle lasted over sixty years, beginning in 1882 with the premiere of his Wind Serenade Op. 7.

Historical Context

The Dresden Staatskapelle, one of the world's oldest orchestras, was founded in 1548 by Elector Moritz of Saxony and has performed continuously for over 450 years.

Recording & Production

The recording of Richard Strauss's Festive Prelude was made in the Dresden Frauenkirche in May 1944, likely as a special tribute to Strauss for his 80th birthday.

Performer Biography

Karl Böhm, a conductor on this album, considered his time as General Music Director in Dresden from 1934 to be his 'perhaps most fruitful time artistically'.