OUR Recordings
Richard Strauss: A Hero's Life
$21.99
Details
- Composer
- Richard Strauss
- Artist
- Singapore Symphony Orchestra
- Format
- CD
- Label
- OUR Recordings
- Released
- Feb 06, 2026
- Catalog #
- 8226934
- UPC
- 0636943693421
About
The "Tondichtung", or tone poem, was a popular European genre from the mid-19th to early 20th century. German composer Richard Strauss excelled in this form, producing ten works. A tone poem is a single-movement orchestral piece meant to evoke moods, stories, or scenes without following a strict narrative. Strauss's Don Juan, Op. 20 (1888), was inspired by Nikolaus Lenau's poetic take on the Don Juan legend, portraying him as a man seeking the perfect woman and ultimately succumbing to despair. Strauss's orchestral work mirrors this, opening with energetic themes of Don Juan's adventures, featuring lyrical passages for his loves, and concluding with dark chords symbolizing his demise. In 1898, Strauss composed Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life), a six-section tone poem inspired by Beethoven's Eroica, reflecting his own life and career. Themes depict the hero, his adversaries, companion, battles, peace, and eventual retirement. Critics debated Strauss's self-portrait as arrogant or humorous, but the work remains a testament to artistic struggle and triumph. Austrian conductor Hans Graf, Chief Conductor and Quantedge Music Director of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) since 2020, is known for his curiosity, creative programming, and commanding presence. An acclaimed guest conductor worldwide, he has won multiple awards including the Österreichischer Musiktheaterpreis and recorded works by Mozart, Stravinsky, and Berg. Founded in 1979, the SSO is Singapore's flagship orchestra, performing year-round and achieving global recognition, including rankings by Gramophone and BBC Music Magazine. Under Graf, the orchestra has released over 50 recordings and revived rare works by composers like Kozlowski, Klenau and Ogerman. The SSO forms part of the Singapore Symphony Group, which also encompasses choruses, youth orchestras, and major music festivals.
Tracklist 7 tracks
-
1 Don Juan, Op. 20, TrV 156 17:36
- Track
- 1
- Title
- Don Juan, Op. 20, TrV 156
- Duration
- 17:36
- Composer
- Richard Strauss
- Ensemble
- Singapore Symphony Orchestra
- Conductor
- Hans Graf
-
2 Der Held (The Hero) - 04:34
- Track
- 2
- Title
- Der Held (The Hero) -
- Duration
- 04:34
- Composer
- Richard Strauss
- Ensemble
- Singapore Symphony Orchestra
- Conductor
- Hans Graf
-
3 Des Helden Widersacher (The Hero's Enemies) - 03:22
- Track
- 3
- Title
- Des Helden Widersacher (The Hero's Enemies) -
- Duration
- 03:22
- Composer
- Richard Strauss
- Ensemble
- Singapore Symphony Orchestra
- Conductor
- Hans Graf
-
4 Des Helden Gefährtin (The Hero's Companion) - 12:57
- Track
- 4
- Title
- Des Helden Gefährtin (The Hero's Companion) -
- Duration
- 12:57
- Composer
- Richard Strauss
- Ensemble
- Singapore Symphony Orchestra
- Conductor
- Hans Graf
-
5 Des Helden Walstatt (The Hero's Field of Battle) - 07:36
- Track
- 5
- Title
- Des Helden Walstatt (The Hero's Field of Battle) -
- Duration
- 07:36
- Composer
- Richard Strauss
- Ensemble
- Singapore Symphony Orchestra
- Conductor
- Hans Graf
-
6 Des Helden Friedenswerke (The Hero's Works of Peace) - 06:35
- Track
- 6
- Title
- Des Helden Friedenswerke (The Hero's Works of Peace) -
- Duration
- 06:35
- Composer
- Richard Strauss
- Ensemble
- Singapore Symphony Orchestra
- Conductor
- Hans Graf
-
7 Des Helden Weltflucht und Vollendung (The Hero's Withdrawal from the World) 10:52
- Track
- 7
- Title
- Des Helden Weltflucht und Vollendung (The Hero's Withdrawal from the World)
- Duration
- 10:52
- Composer
- Richard Strauss
- Ensemble
- Singapore Symphony Orchestra
- Conductor
- Hans Graf