R. Strauss: Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40, TrV 190 & Metamorphosen, TrV 290 (Live)

Featuring

Cornelius Meister
Maighréad McCrann
ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien
Richard Strauss

Did you know?

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Compositional Technique

'Ein Heldenleben' is a symphonic poem, a genre where Strauss could expect a positive audience response, and its 50-minute length is characteristic of his tone poems.

Performer Biography

Cornelius Meister, the conductor, has been the principal conductor and artistic director of the ORF Radio Symphony Orchestra Vienna since September 2010.

Historical Context

Richard Strauss's 'Metamorphosen' was composed at the end of his life, beginning in late 1944 during the height of World War II, and is seen as a musical commentary on the times.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Richard Strauss often placed himself, more or less unmistakably, as the central figure in his own works, such as in 'Sinfonia domestica' and 'Intermezzo'.

Compositional Technique

The 'Metamorphosen' is a 'Study for 23 Solo Strings,' a highly complex polyphonic work where four slow themes undergo constant variation.

Composition History

Richard Strauss's 'Ein Heldenleben' (A Hero's Life) was composed in 1898, concluding a decade where he intensely focused on setting extramusical stories to instrumental music.