Audition: Richard Strauss: Ein Heldenleben/VPO Richard Strauss r. 1944
Richard Strauss: Ein Heldenleben Conducted by the composer in 1944 with the Vienna Philharmonic — is fascinating both musically and historically. Note: the sonics are remarkably good for the period, and the recorded orchestral balance is maintained with impressive clarity throughout. The playing of the Vienna orchestra is exceptional. The texture remains light enough for the full complement of woodwinds to emerge clearly, while the famed Vienna strings sound silky, sweet and refined. Very little here feels less than high quality. From the very first page, one notices the difference between what Strauss wrote and how he actually conducted the work. Most striking is his flexible handling of tempo: he frequently presses forward slightly at climactic moments, presumably for dramatic effect, and the result is often electrifying. But is somewhat surprising that, just before figure 4, Strauss and the orchestra become slightly unsettled. After figure 5, the strings sound a l...
