R. Strauss: Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64, TrV 233

Featuring

Andrés Orozco-Estrada
hr-Sinfonieorchester
Richard Strauss

Did you know?

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Recording & Production

This album was recorded at the Alte Oper Frankfurt on October 13-14, 2016.

Critical Reception

Some musicologists interpreted the lengthy composition process of "An Alpine Symphony" as a sign of artistic weakness, suggesting it lacked a "truly meaningful core musical idea."

Composition History

Richard Strauss's "An Alpine Symphony" was inspired by a hiking trip in 1879 when the 15-year-old composer was caught in a thunderstorm in the Bavarian Pre-Alps.

Performer Biography

Andrés Orozco-Estrada, the conductor, had an impressive debut at the Wiener Musikverein, which the press described as the 'miracle of Vienna.'

Composition History

Strauss initially planned "An Alpine Symphony" as a symphonic poem about "artistic tragedy" and later considered titles like "The Alps" and "The Antichrist," based on Nietzsche's book.

Compositional Technique

The orchestration for "An Alpine Symphony" is exceptionally large, requiring a wind and thunder machine, cowbells, celesta, organ, a heckelphone, and at least 125 orchestral musicians.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Strauss aimed to portray not only the natural processes of a day in the mountains but also the psychological and emotional reactions of the mountaineer and audience.