R. Strauss: Eine Alpensinfonie & Der Bürger als Edelmann & Metamorphosen

Featuring

Rudolf Kempe
Münchner Philharmoniker
Richard Strauss

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Critical Reception

A year before his death, Strauss noted that 'An Alpine Symphony' had 'always been undervalued by the intelligentsia, but it also sounds too good for them'.

Compositional Technique

Nine bars before the end of 'Metamorphosen', the double basses quote the funeral march from Beethoven's 'Eroica' Symphony, with Strauss adding 'In memoriam!' to the score.

Composer Biography

Richard Strauss, the composer, had a villa built in Garmisch in 1907/08, allowing him to view the Zugspitze and Wetterstein mountains while composing.

Compositional Technique

In 'An Alpine Symphony', Strauss uses a large orchestra including 64 strings, quadruple woodwind, 20 horns (8 on stage, 12 offstage), four trumpets, four trombones, two bass tubas, four harps, organ, celesta, and a vast percussion section.

Composition History

Strauss's 'Metamorphosen' was composed under the immediate impact of the devastating destruction of World War II, with his sketchbook entries mourning the bombing of Munich and other German cities.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Strauss initially planned to call his 'Alpine Symphony' 'The Antichrist', inspired by Friedrich Nietzsche's writings, viewing the mountain ascent as a symbol of human aspiration and cleansing through one's own powers.

Composition History

Strauss's 'An Alpine Symphony' was inspired by a challenging mountain hike he took as a 15-year-old in August 1879, where he was caught in a thunderstorm.