Richard Strauss: Metamorphosen, Serenade, and Symphony for Wind Instruments.
Strauss, R:
Metamorphosen, performed by the Aldeburgh Strings
Serenade in E flat major for Winds, Op. 7, performed by the
Aldeburgh Winds
Sonatina No. 2 (Symphony) in E flat major for 16 wind instruments, AV 143 ‘Fröhliche Werkstatt’
The performers are two super groups – the strings led by violinist Markus Däunert (leader of the Mahler Chamber Orchestra), and the winds led by oboeist Nicholas Daniel (whose distinguished career began with him being named BBC Young Musician of the Year) – combine in this, their second recording for Linn.
A counterpart to the Aldeburgh Strings, the Aldeburgh Winds offered an opportunity for exceptional wind and brass players to work intensively alongside leading international professionals.
Strauss poured out some of his most heartfelt inspiration in Metamorphosen, a 25-minute string masterpiece written as an elegy in the wake of Germany’s destruction in the Second World War.
In complete contrast, the Strauss Serenade radiates Mozartian flavors, combined with Strauss’s exquisite chamber scoring which provides a tantalising glimpse of the composer to come.
The Symphony for Wind Instruments (‘FröhlicheWerkstatt’) adds a third clarinet, basset horn and bass clarinet to the Serenade’s line-up and is very important work in the wind ensemble repertory.
Here is a performance of Strauss’ Metamorphosen:
