In Don Quixote, Richard Strauss assigns a specific instrument to each main character: the cello for Don Quixote and the viola (along with tenor tuba and bass clarinet) for Sancho Panza.
Composition History
The Romance for cello and orchestra by Richard Strauss was composed in 1883 for his uncle Anton von Knözinger and premiered in 1884, but then fell into obscurity until its revival in 1986.
Composition History
Richard Strauss entrusted Franz Wüllner, the conductor of the 'Cölner Städtisches Orchester' (now the Gürzenich Orchestra), with the premieres of both Till Eulenspiegel and Don Quixote in Cologne.
Compositional Technique
Richard Strauss used bitonality in Don Quixote to convey the schizophrenia of the character, and subtle counterpoint to render the complexity of situations.
Compositional Technique
In Till Eulenspiegel, Richard Strauss caricatures different societal figures, such as the priest, pedagogues, and people of the street, through distinct musical themes.
Composition History
Richard Strauss initially intended to make Till Eulenspiegel into an opera, but later changed his mind and composed it as a symphonic poem instead.
You might also enjoy...
Richard Strauss: Don Quixote; Till Eulenspiegel; Romance For Cello & Orchestra
Richard Strauss: Tone Poems and Interludes
Strauss, R.: Till Eulenspiegel / Don Juan / Tod Und Verklarung / Intermezzo: Traumerei Am Kamin
Richard Strauss: Orchestral Works - Complete Edition
R. Strauss: Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks (Recorded 1999)
Richard Strauss: Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64 / Tod und Verklärung, Op. 24
Strauss: Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30, TrV 176 (Live)
