In celebration of Richard Strauss' 150th anniversary, baritone Thomas Hampson and pianist Wolfram Rieger present a recital of 18 songs that represent an output of more than 200, written throughout this composer's long career. Strauss achieved his greatest fame from his operas Salome, Elektra, and Der Rosenkavalier, and orchestral tone poems, such as Don Juan, Ein Heldenleben, Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche, and Also Sprach Zarathustra. But his vocal music has been respected rather more than widely known, and somewhat ...
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In celebration of Richard Strauss' 150th anniversary, baritone Thomas Hampson and pianist Wolfram Rieger present a recital of 18 songs that represent an output of more than 200, written throughout this composer's long career. Strauss achieved his greatest fame from his operas Salome, Elektra, and Der Rosenkavalier, and orchestral tone poems, such as Don Juan, Ein Heldenleben, Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche, and Also Sprach Zarathustra. But his vocal music has been respected rather more than widely known, and somewhat less performed than the comparable art songs of his contemporaries, Gustav Mahler and Hugo Wolf. It could be said that Hampson performs a great service by bringing attention to this overlooked body of work, but if all things were equal, his CD should be appreciated for its varied expressions and artistic depth, and not just because it reawakens interest in Strauss' neglected songs. Once past the feeling that this is unknown music, many listeners will begin to feel a familiarity with...
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