Richard Strauss

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Biography

Born: Jun 11, 1864; Germany   Died: Sep 8, 1949; Germany   Period: 20th Century
Though the long career of Richard Strauss spanned one of the most chaotic periods in political, social, and cultural history of the world, the composer retained his essentially Romantic aesthetic even into the age of television, jet engines, and atom bombs. Born in Munich in 1864, Strauss was the son of Franz Joseph Strauss, the principal hornist in the Munich Court Orchestra. Strauss demonstrated musical aptitude at an early age, and extensive Read more training in piano, violin, theory, harmony, and orchestration equipped him to produce music of extraordinary polish and maturity by the time he reached adulthood. His primary teachers had been his father, who was a musical conservative, and Ludwig Thuille, a Munich School composer and family friend. Strauss' Serenade for 13 Winds, Op. 7 (1881), written when he was 17, led conductor Hans von Bülow to pronounce him "by far the most striking personality since Brahms." Bülow was able to give Strauss his first commission and an assistant conductor position. Through new friendships, Strauss learned to admire the writings of Schopenhauer and Nietzsche and the music of Wagner and Liszt. He embarked on a long career of conducting and composing, which take him all over Europe and the U.S.

From the beginning of Strauss' career as a composer, it was evident that the orchestra was his natural medium. With the composition of the "symphonic fantasy" Aus Italien in 1886, Strauss embarked on a series of works that represents both one of the pivotal phases of his career and a body of music of central importance in the late German Romantic repertoire. Though he did not invent the tone poem per se, he brought it to its pinnacle. In such works as Don Juan (1888-1889), Ein Heldenleben (1897-1898), and Also sprach Zarathustra (1895-1896) -- whose first minute or so, thanks to its use in the film 2001: A Space Odyssey, is the composer's most readily recognizable music -- Strauss displayed his abundant gift for exploiting the coloristic possibilities of the orchestra as a dramatic device like few composers ever had (or have since).

With the arrival of the twentieth century, after becoming conductor at Berlin's Hofoper, Strauss' interest turned more fully to opera, resulting in a body of unforgettable works that have long been fixtures of the repertoire: Salome (1903-1905), Elektra (1906-1908), and Der Rosenkavalier (1909-1910) are just a few of his best-known efforts for the stage. In 1919, Strauss became co-director of the Vienna Staatsoper, but was forced to resign five years later by his partner, Franz Schalk, who resented being left with many of the operational duties while Strauss was frequently away guest conducting or being feted as a great composer. When the political situation in Europe became malignant in the 1930s, profound political naïveté led to Strauss' confused involvement with the Nazi propaganda machine, and the composer eventually alienated both the Nazis and their opponents. With the end of World War II, however, he was permitted to resume his professional life, although it would be a mere echo of his previous fame. He began to have serious health problems, his financial situation had been compromised, and the monuments that embodied great German art for him -- Goethe's Weimar house; the Dresden, Munich, and Vienna opera houses -- had been destroyed. Throughout his last years, works such as the Oboe Concerto (1945) and the gorgeously expressive Four Last Songs (1948) attest to Strauss' unwavering confidence in his singular musical voice.
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Featured Richard Strauss CDs & DVDs:

R. Strauss: Ariadne auf Naxos / Janowitz, Kempe
R. Strauss: Ariadne auf Naxos / Janowitz, Kempe
Release Date: 09/16/2008   Label: Emi Classics  
Catalog: 08824   Number of Discs: 2
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Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier / Haitink, Te Kanawa, Von Otter
Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier / Haitink, Te Kanawa, Von Otter
Release Date: 10/17/2006   Label: Emi Classics  
Catalog: 58618   Number of Discs: 3
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Violin Sonatas: Strauss, Respighi / Little, Lane
Violin Sonatas: Strauss, Respighi / Little, Lane
Release Date: 11/13/2012   Label: Chandos  
Catalog: 10749   Number of Discs: 1
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Strauss: Till Eulenspiegel, Ein Heldenleben / Barenboim
Strauss: Till Eulenspiegel, Ein Heldenleben / Barenboim
Release Date: 05/03/1991   Label: Erato  
Catalog: 45621   Number of Discs: 1
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R. Strauss: Don Juan, Vier Letzte Lieder, Etc / Masur, Voigt
R. Strauss: Don Juan, Vier Letzte Lieder, Etc / Masur, Voigt
Release Date: 06/08/1999   Label: Teldec  
Catalog: 25990   Number of Discs: 1
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Work: Morgen

Browse 101-125 of 147 Available Recordings
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  • 101.
    Strauss: Salome Highlights, Five Orchestral Songs; Boito / Bernstein
    Strauss: Salome Highlights, Five Orchestral Songs; Boito / Bernstein
    Label: Eloquence   Catalog: 4762467 Release Date: 10/18/2004   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Richard Strauss,  Arrigo Boito
    Performer:  Montserrat Caballé,  Nicolai Ghiaurov
    Conductor:  Leonard Bernstein
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Gumpoldskirchner Spatzen
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  • 102.
    Strauss, Wolf, Liszt, Tchaikovsky: Lieder / Ludwig, Werba
    Strauss, Wolf, Liszt, Tchaikovsky: Lieder / Ludwig, Werba
    Label: Orfeo D'or   Catalog: 613031 Release Date: 10/21/2003   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky,  Hugo Wolf,  Franz Liszt,  Richard Strauss
    Performer:  Christa Ludwig,  Erik Werba
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  • 103.
    R. Strauss: Four Last Songs, Etc / Lott, Järvi
    R. Strauss: Four Last Songs, Etc / Lott, Järvi
    Label: Chandos   Catalog: 10075 Release Date: 05/20/2003   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Richard Strauss
    Performer:  Felicity Lott
    Conductor:  Neeme Järvi
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Royal Scottish National Orchestra
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  • 104.
    The Very Best of Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
    The Very Best of Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 75922 Release Date: 04/22/2003   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Giuseppe Verdi,  Richard Wagner,  George Frideric Handel,  Johann Sebastian Bach  ... 
    Performer:  James McCracken,  Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau,  Jean-Pierre Rampal,  Jacques Neilz  ... 
    Conductor:  Sir John Barbirolli,  Alberto Erede,  Rafael Kubelik,  Sir Philip Ledger  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  New Philharmonia Orchestra,  Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra,  Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra  ... 
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  • 105.
    The Very Best Of Jussi Björling
    The Very Best Of Jussi Björling
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 75900 Release Date: 04/22/2003   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Gioachino Rossini,  Helen Guy,  Ruggero Leoncavallo,  Adolphe Adam  ... 
    Performer:  Jussi Björling,  Harry Ebert
    Conductor:  Nils Grevillius,  Renato Cellini,  Sir Thomas Beecham
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Orchestra,  Royal Orchestra,  RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra  ... 
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  • 106.
    Debut - Mahler, Strauss, Marx: Songs / Karnéus, Vignoles
    Debut - Mahler, Strauss, Marx: Songs / Karnéus, Vignoles
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 73168 Release Date: 09/10/2002   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Gustav Mahler,  Richard Strauss,  Joseph Marx
    Performer:  Katarina Karnéus,  Roger Vignoles
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  • 107.
    Of Ladies And Love... / Michael Schade, Malcolm Martineau
    Of Ladies And Love... / Michael Schade, Malcolm Martineau
    Label: Hyperion   Catalog: 67315 Release Date: 09/10/2002   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Franz Schubert,  Richard Strauss,  Gabriel Fauré,  Maurice Ravel  ... 
    Performer:  Michael Schade,  Malcolm Martineau
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  • 108.
    R. Strauss / Hiroko Shiraishi, Takao Shiraishi
    R. Strauss / Hiroko Shiraishi, Takao Shiraishi
    Label: Camerata Records   Catalog: 632 Release Date: 07/30/2002   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Richard Strauss
    Performer:  Hiroko Shiraishi,  Takao Shiraishi
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  • 109.
    Strauss: Four Last Songs, Etc / Isokoski, Janowski, Et Al
    Strauss: Four Last Songs, Etc / Isokoski, Janowski, Et Al
    Label: Ondine   Catalog: 982 Release Date: 05/21/2002   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Richard Strauss
    Performer:  Soile Isokoski
    Conductor:  Marek Janowski
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra
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  • 110.
    The Very Best Of Janet Baker
    The Very Best Of Janet Baker
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 75069 Release Date: 04/09/2002   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Richard Strauss,  Johannes Brahms,  Robert Schumann,  Felix Mendelssohn  ... 
    Performer:  Gerald Moore,  Dame Janet Baker,  Cecil Aronowitz,  André Previn  ... 
    Conductor:  Sir John Barbirolli,  Sir Philip Ledger,  André Previn,  Sir Adrian Boult  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Hallé Orchestra Chorus,  Hallé Orchestra,  Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus  ... 
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  • 111.
    Lisa Della Casa - Lieder & Arias
    Lisa Della Casa - Lieder & Arias
    Label: Emi Classics Special Import   Catalog: 67678 Release Date: 01/08/2002   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Giacomo Puccini,  Richard Strauss,  Robert Schumann
    Performer:  Rudolf Schock,  Lisa Della Casa,  Anneliese Rothenberger,  Sebastian Peschko
    Conductor:  Berislav Klobucar,  Alberto Erede,  Rudolf Neuhaus
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Berlin Symphony Orchestra,  Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra,  Dresden Staatskapelle
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  • 112.
    The Radiant Voice Of Barbara Bonney
    The Radiant Voice Of Barbara Bonney
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 468818 Release Date: 07/24/2001   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach,  Andrew Lloyd Webber,  André Previn,  Carl Orff  ... 
    Performer:  Barbara Bonney,  Anthony Way,  Daniel Phillips,  André Previn  ... 
    Conductor:  Gustav Leonhardt,  Neil Page,  André Previn,  Riccardo Chailly  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment,  English Sinfonia,  Uppingham School Choir  ... 
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  • 113.
    Great Performers Of The Twentieth Century - Dame Janet Baker
    Great Performers Of The Twentieth Century - Dame Janet Baker
    Label: Bbc Legends   Catalog: 4049 Release Date: 10/10/2000   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Hugo Wolf,  Franz Schubert,  Robert Schumann,  Franz Joseph Haydn  ... 
    Performer:  Dame Janet Baker,  Paul Hamburger,  Geoffrey Parsons,  John Constable
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  • 114.
    Strauss: Ausgewahlte Lieder / Mitsuko Shirai, Hartmut Holl
    Strauss: Ausgewahlte Lieder / Mitsuko Shirai, Hartmut Holl
    Label: Capriccio Records   Catalog: 10497 Release Date: 07/11/2000   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Richard Strauss
    Performer:  Mitsuko Shirai,  Hartmut Höll
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  • 115.
    Strauss: Songs With Orchestra, Etc / Janowitz, Stamp, Et Al
    Strauss: Songs With Orchestra, Etc / Janowitz, Stamp, Et Al
    Label: Virgin Classics   Catalog: 61766 Release Date: 06/27/2000   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Richard Strauss
    Performer:  Gundula Janowitz,  Pavel Gililov,  Dmitri Sitkovetsky,  Ray Still
    Conductor:  Richard Stamp
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Academy of London
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  • 116.
    R. Strauss: Klavierwerke / Sascha Zolotarev
    R. Strauss: Klavierwerke / Sascha Zolotarev
    Label: Fermate   Catalog: 20027 Release Date: 03/28/2000   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Richard Strauss,  Franz Schubert
    Performer:  Sascha Zolotarev
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  • 117.
    Lebendige Vergangenheit - Luise Willer
    Lebendige Vergangenheit - Luise Willer
    Label: Preiser Records   Catalog: 89177 Release Date: 10/26/1999   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Camille Saint-Saëns,  Carl Bergner,  George Frideric Handel,  Richard Wagner  ... 
    Performer:  Luise Willer,  Carl Bergner,  Ludwig Kusche,  Henny Trundt  ... 
    Conductor:  Selmar Meyrowitz,  Ernst Viebig,  Hans Adolf Winter,  Hans Rosbaud
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Berlin State Opera Orchestra,  Munich Radio Symphony Orchestra,  Frankfurt Radio Orchestra
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  • 118.
    Schubert, Mozart, Dvorák, Mahler, Et Al: Lieder /Lucia Popp
    Schubert, Mozart, Dvorák, Mahler, Et Al: Lieder /Lucia Popp
    Label: Bbc Legends   Catalog: 4025 Release Date: 09/21/1999   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Antonín Dvorák,  Richard Strauss,  Gustav Mahler,  Franz Schubert  ... 
    Performer:  Irwin Gage,  Lucia Popp,  Geoffrey Parsons
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  • 119.
    Strauss: Four Last Songs, 15 Lieder / Bonney, Martineau
    Strauss: Four Last Songs, 15 Lieder / Bonney, Martineau
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 460812 Release Date: 02/02/1999   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Richard Strauss
    Performer:  Malcolm Martineau,  Barbara Bonney
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  • 120.
    Strauss: Four Last Songs, Etc / Szell, Schwarzkopf, Et Al
    Strauss: Four Last Songs, Etc / Szell, Schwarzkopf, Et Al
    Label: Emi Great Recordings Of The Century   Catalog: 66960 Release Date: 01/12/1999   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Richard Strauss
    Performer:  Elisabeth Schwarzkopf,  Edith Peinemann
    Conductor:  George Szell
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  London Symphony Orchestra,  Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra
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  • 121.
    Romance / Yoshikazu Mera
    Romance / Yoshikazu Mera
    Label: Bis   Catalog: 949 Release Date: 11/01/1998   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Charles Gounod,  Traditional,  Sergei Rachmaninov,  Edvard Grieg  ... 
    Performer:  Yoshikazu Mera,  Masayuki Kino,  Hitsako Matsui
    Conductor:  Shigeo Genda
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Japan Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra
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  • 122.
    Farewell To Salzburg / Christa Ludwig
    Farewell To Salzburg / Christa Ludwig
    Label: Rca Victor Red Seal   Catalog: 61547 Release Date: 08/30/1998   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Richard Strauss,  Johannes Brahms,  Gustav Mahler,  Robert Schumann
    Performer:  Christa Ludwig,  Charles Spencer
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  • 123.
    Mozart: Arias; Strauss: Orchestral Songs / Schäfer, Abbado
    Mozart: Arias; Strauss: Orchestral Songs / Schäfer, Abbado
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 457582 Release Date: 04/14/1998   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Richard Strauss,  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
    Performer:  Christine Schäfer
    Conductor:  Claudio Abbado
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
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  • 124.
    Renée Fleming - The Beautiful Voice
    Renée Fleming - The Beautiful Voice
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 458858 Release Date: 02/10/1998   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Joseph Canteloube,  Erich Wolfgang Korngold,  Antonín Dvorák,  José Maria Cano  ... 
    Performer:  Renée Fleming,  Clive Greensmith,  Paul Willey,  Osian Ellis  ... 
    Conductor:  Jeffrey Tate
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  English Chamber Orchestra,  London Voices
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  • 125.
    Jussi Bjorling Edition - Studio Recordings 1930-1959
    Jussi Bjorling Edition - Studio Recordings 1930-1959
    Label: Emi Classics Special Import   Catalog: 66306 Release Date: 01/20/1998   Number of Discs: 4
    Composer:  Amy Marcy Beach,  Gioachino Rossini,  Carl Sjöberg,  Helen Guy  ... 
    Performer:  Ivor Newton,  Jussi Björling,  Harry Ebert,  Hjördis Schymberg  ... 
    Conductor:  Nils Grevillius,  Bertil Bokstedt,  Sune Waldimir
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Orchestra,  Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra,  Stockholm Concerts Associations Orchestra
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