Classical Masterpieces
"An Alpine Symphony" by Richard Strauss
The effect of the symphony stems to a large extent from the highly nuanced orchestration. "At last I have learned to orchestrate", the composer said after the first performance in 1915, at which Strauss himself conducted the huge orchestra in the Berlin Phailharmonic Hall.
This is the symphonic poem in its highest form. Strauss referred to it as a 'tone poem'. Works such as “Salome” and “Electra” earned him a reputation as a musical revolutionary. With the "Alpine Symphony" he fell back in part on classical forms of expression. Some critics attacked him for this, while others saw a newly attained sovereignty in the spectacular work.
Broadcast Times: Sat, 22.07.2006 18:30 UTC; Sun 23.07.2006 6:30 UTC; Mon 24.07.2006 0:30 UTC, 12:30 UTC
