Richard Strauss

[Contratrombone64]

Absolutely adore Strauss ... own all his symphonic music in full score and a few of his operas (has cost me a small fortune). In particular, for orchestration I think Die frau ohne Schatten and Daphne are my two favourites. The metamophosis scene from Daphne is just so beautifully scored ... I can almost feel her turning into a tree.

[DivaDiane]

I can't really claim to know all of his music, but I would recommend starting with his vocal music. The 4 letzte Lieder are certainly masterpieces, but many of his other songs are simply gems. Try Jessye Norman's recording (I think the title is Strauss Four Last Songs or maybe Vier Letzte Lieder). Those 4 songs plus many other songs - stunning.

[Corno Dolce]

Ah yes,

Richard Strauss - What a masterful orchestrator! His "Tone Poems" like Ein Heldenleben, Ein Alpensymphonie, Till Eulenspiegel's Lustige Streiche, and Strauss operas like Elektra, Der Rosenkavalier, and Salome - man, such moving music!!!

[Corno Dolce]

Ah yes,

I forgot to mention "Also Sprach Zarathustra" by Strauss. Part of it is used to great effect in 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Off topic: Here we are in 2008 and thankfully we don't have to deal with a computer like HAL that acts menacingly. Apropos HAL - HAL was a thought-construct courtesy of IBM(H=I, A=B, L=M).

[methodistgirl]

You are so right Corno! There are also some beautiful waltzes on that
movie.

[Pacific 231]

From this composer I am looking for 4 Letzte Lieder but with soprano and BRASS BAND. Does any one know if this arrangement exists? Also in score?

Thanks.

I can't really claim to know all of his music, but I would recommend starting with his vocal music. The 4 letzte Lieder are certainly masterpieces, but many of his other songs are simply gems. Try Jessye Norman's recording (I think the title is Strauss Four Last Songs or maybe Vier Letzte Lieder). Those 4 songs plus many other songs - stunning.

Does any one also knows where could I found the score of the Vier letzte Lieder for Soprano and Octett (4 brass instruments + 4 strings instruments)? Wich edition if ever? THANKS a lot.

[Pacific 231]

Does any one also know where I could find the score of the Vier letzte Lieder for Soprano and Nonet (4 brass instruments + 5 strings instruments)? Wich edition if ever? THANKS a lot.

[Corno Dolce]

Try www.bodensee-musikversand.de

[Contratrombone64]

259 eruos for Vierne's organ music is too expensive. But it looks like a nice edition, Sweet Corn.

[zoned]

Richard Strauss,in my opinion,was a genius.His music is not for everybody,but what I like is his brilliance with orchestration.He could make musical instruments talk and tell story's through the notes on manuscript paper.I witnessed a live performance of his"Alpine Symphony" in Detroit in 1996-the music and the performance was awe-inspiring!The piece depicted a man clinbing a mountain through various cimatic conditions.One could actually feel what the man was going through from the sounds of the instruments.To paint a picture in sound-to me is incredible!Some people are gifted like Richard Strauss.And the end result is sharing that gift with listeners. To me Richard Strauss was a man of great determination.Let us hope more and more people become exposed to his music. His music is dramatic.I,for one like that style!Zoned.

[rojo]

I'm a big fan of dramatic music as well, zoned. R. Strauss is one of my fav composers.

[Mat]

I forgot to mention "Also Sprach Zarathustra" by Strauss. Part of it is used to great effect in 2001: A Space Odyssey.

This is my absolute favorite. And a short motive (opening theme) from this piece is very popular, indeed.