Richard Strauss - Symphonia Domestica - George Szell
Richard Strauss - "Symphonia Domestica", op. 53
The Cleveland Orchestra conducted by George Szell
1 LP, standard sleeve
Original analog Master tape : YES
Heavy Press : 180g
Record color : black
Speed : 33 RPM
Size : 12'’
Stereo
Studio
Record Press : Pallas
Label : Speakers Corner
Original Label : Columbia
Recorded January 10, 1964 at Severance Hall, Cleveland
Production: Paul Myers
Originally released in 1964
Tracks :
Side A : Symphonia Domestica, Op. 53 (Beginning)
Side 2 : Symphonia Domestica, Op. 53. (Conclusion)
Reviews :
Convinced of his own historical importance, Richard Strauss introduced himself to American soldiers as the "Composer of the Rosenkavalier" when they knocked on the door of his villa in Garmisch-Partenkirchen at the end of the Second World War. Already more than 40 years earlier, Strauss considered himself as interesting as Napoleon and Alexander the Great and defended his egocentric Opus 40 ("Ein Heldenleben") by saying that he didn’t see why he shouldn’t write a symphony about himself. The "Symphonia Domestica", op. 53 is a musical tribute to family life in the living room, at the dining table and in the bedroom, in which Strauss expresses in a strikingly lyrical tone.
George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra conjure up a picture of a happy family life, and the harmonious relationship between father, mother and son, which is sometimes filled with’ joie de vivre’, gallantry, jubilation but also sometimes filled with disputes. Looking more closely at Strauss and his "Symphonia Domestica", listeners will find – alongside a familiar late-romantic musical language – clear echoes of his unique personal style. Wide intervals, a bold and vivacious treatment of the themes, surprising harmonic changes and not least exuberant melodiousness are unmistakable characteristics of this exhilarating music, which reflects the colossal ego of its composer.
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