Richard Strauss: Orchestral music

[salymap]

I just once applied for a job at the BBC, in the Music Department, although it meant a rather awkward journey from Charing Cross with a change of tube half way.

To my disgust they asked me to take a typing test on the oldest 'sit up and beg' manual typewriter. After using a modern electric machine in my previous job I made a mess of typing something. It may have been that or something else but there were a lot of applicants and I didn't get the job. My only refusal I think, and I wonder, too,how things would have turned out. At least I would now have an occupational pension.

[ahinton]

HS's post reminds me of a time in my dim and distant past, shortly after leaving music college.Whilst working at Boosey and Hawkes I applied for a job at Hyperion records, a junior position but with the possibility of advancement. I distinctly remember the advert, which I think was in Classical Music magazine. One of the requirements Hyperion specified was that applicants "must be able to spell Szymanowski".

Ah, that's the Hyperion that we know and love! Splendid label, to be sure. In the days when they specified that, Szymanowski was not even especially well known in Britain either (times have fortunately changed since!) - so good for them!

[Nick Armstrong]

Ah, that's the Hyperion that we know and love! ...good for them!

Hear hear!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I remember that LAPO/Zubin Mehta Also Sprach Zarathustra. The opening bass note was a Decca's audio spectacular. I wonder how many people wore out their LPs listening to the famous opening.

[BBMmk2]

You dont hear much as to what Mehta is doing these days. I have his recording of that EA(:). but not knowing much else?

[Petrushka]

Mention of Tod und Verklärung has reminded me of a truly shattering performance of this from Karl Böhm and the LSO at the 1977 Salzburg Festival and available on the Andante label. Another great recording of Tod is that from Fritz Reiner and the VPO which was one of the first Strauss LP's I ever bought.

Are there any fans of the Sinfonia Domestica out there? I confess it's the one Strauss tone poem that I just can't get on with at all. I see that Karajan only made one recording and that was made with the Orchestre de Paris and not the BPO or VPO. A failure for me I'm afraid.

The very, very first Strauss LP I bought was Karajan and the VPO in Also Sprach Zarathustra in 1971. Actually, that could have been the first classical LP I bought with my own money as opposed to a present. Some say that the rest of the tone poem doesn't match the opening 40 seconds but I have to disagree. I find it a fascinating piece.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Are there any fans of the Sinfonia Domestica out there? I confess it's the one Strauss tone poem that I just can't get on with at all. I see that Karajan only made one recording and that was made with the Orchestre de Paris and not the BPO or VPO. A failure for me I'm afraid.

Not quite "the one" in my case (I'd far rather hear it than MacBeth or Aus Italien, but I do find it difficult to love, in spite of recordings by the composer, Furtwangler (who'd've thought he'd be interested in it?!) and Karajan, with the Berliners:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Richard-Strauss-Sinfonia-Domestica-Karajan/dp/B00000DR2O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1364937208&sr=8-1

... gives it as good as it gets, but still doesn't get me on its "wavelength".

[Petrushka]

Not quite "the one" in my case (I'd far rather hear it than MacBeth or Aus Italien, but I do find it difficult to love, in spite of recordings by the composer, Furtwangler (who'd've thought he'd be interested in it?!) and Karajan, with the Berliners:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Richard-Strauss-Sinfonia-Domestica-Karajan/dp/B00000DR2O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1364937208&sr=8-1

... gives it as good as it gets, but still doesn't get me on its "wavelength".

Now why did I think it was the Orchestre de Paris? Perhaps HvK recorded something else with them? I see that Reiner recorded it as well. A strange work and not one that I 'get'.

[Mr Pee]

Also Sprach Zarathustra...some say that the rest of the tone poem doesn't match the opening 40 seconds but I have to disagree. I find it a fascinating piece.

Me too!!!

[Petrushka]

Not quite "the one" in my case (I'd far rather hear it than MacBeth or Aus Italien, but I do find it difficult to love, in spite of recordings by the composer, Furtwangler (who'd've thought he'd be interested in it?!) and Karajan, with the Berliners:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Richard-Strauss-Sinfonia-Domestica-Karajan/dp/B00000DR2O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1364937208&sr=8-1

... gives it as good as it gets, but still doesn't get me on its "wavelength".

I do rather like Aus Italien and my favourite recording, which I think Ferret mentions above, is the VPO/Clemens Krauss which somehow manages to convince that it's a masterpiece.

[cloughie]

Petrouchka I think his EMI recordings with OP Cesar Franck's Symphony and a Ravel collection La Valse, Alborada del Gracioso, Rapsodie Espagnole and Tombeau de Couperin.

[Petrushka]

Petrouchka I think his EMI recordings with OP Cesar Franck's Symphony and a Ravel collection La Valse, Alborada del Gracioso, Rapsodie Espagnole and Tombeau de Couperin.

Thanks Cloughie, I think I was getting confused with the Franck symphony. Easily done.

[amateur51]

Petrouchka I think his EMI recordings with OP Cesar Franck's Symphony and a Ravel collection La Valse, Alborada del Gracioso, Rapsodie Espagnole and Tombeau de Couperin.

Welcome back cloughie! Good to see you

[cloughie]

Welcome back cloughie! Good to see you

Thanks ams.

A R Strauss box I like, largely because of the LAPO Mehta big works, possibly my favourite Heldenleben, Also and Sym Dom but also some good Maazel and Dorati.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Richard-Strauss-The-Tone-Poems/dp/B00006IU8U/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1364939260&sr=8-4

I think I got it for less than half the current used price. Amazing how many of the Decca boxed sets appear to becoming like hen's teeth!

[Beef Oven]

Aus Italien
Tod
Metamorphosen
Don Juan
Helden
First two movements of Also Sprach
On A good day, Domestica