Strauss: Ein Heldenleben, Der Rosenkavalier Suite

Featuring

Thomas Søndergård
Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Richard Strauss

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Composer Biography

Richard Strauss, the composer, was the son of a prominent French horn player and was born in Munich.

Compositional Technique

Ein Heldenleben features a lugubrious four-note rhythmic cypher representing the real-life Viennese critic Doktor Dehring, and a frenetic solo violin part depicting Strauss's wife, Pauline de Ahna.

Composition History

Richard Strauss composed Ein Heldenleben ('A Hero's Life') in 1898, stating it would meet a pressing need for a great tone poem since Beethoven's Eroica was unpopular with conductors.

Recording & Production

This recording was supported by the Iain and Pamela Sinclair Legacy and was made in Glasgow Royal Concert Hall in 2018.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Richard Strauss believed that if his works were good, they would maintain their position despite criticism, and if worthless, no box office success could save them.

Compositional Technique

Richard Strauss's symphonic poems, like Ein Heldenleben, integrated traditional symphonic influences with progressive ideas from composers like Liszt and Wagner.

Performer Biography

Thomas Søndergård, the conductor on this album, is the Music Director of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and previously served as Principal Conductor of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.