As part of the Symphonic Monuments cycle, we turn to works that do not need an introduction but do require attention to understand, hear, and feel the form, strength, and meaning. The primary focus is Richard Strauss and his Tod und Verklärung this time.
In 1889, at just 25, Strauss took up the position of second conductor at the Court Theatre in Weimar-his first significant conducting role-alongside Eduard Lassen. During this time, he wrote Tod und Verklärung, one of his first symphonic poems-immediately a work about transience, spirituality, and the meaning of life.
The subject matter is surprising, especially considering the young, healthy composer, whose life was full of success. Yet he chose to write a piece about death and the final moments of an artist’s life. Thus, we know that this was not an autobiography, but an artistic vision. Strauss was not experiencing any personal crisis-he simply asked himself: What does a person feel when they are dying? And what does the moment sound like when life turns into something else?
He described the progression of the piece in several stages: first, the struggle with illness and pain; then memories-childhood, youthful ideals, adult struggles; and finally, transformation.
Musically, the work is constructed with incredible precision. It begins with irregular heart rhythms and string tension, which mimic the breath of the dying. Then come the themes of memories, struggles, and dreams. In the finale, there is the great theme of transformation, which Strauss considers one of the most important in all his work. Many years later, he even requested that Tod und Verklärung be played at his funeral. And that’s what precisely happened.
In line with the cycle tradition, the conductor and director of our Philharmonic,Przemysław Neumann, will discuss the piece, its context, and its structure before the concert. He will guide us through the evening. Thanks to his story, we will experience the full power of this extraordinary work. It is what Symphonic Monuments are all about.
Tod und Verklärung by Strauss performed by the hr-Sinfonieorchester under the baton of Andrés Orozco-Estrada:
