Composer

:

Richard Strauss

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Tone Poem

Compose Date

:

1945

Average_duration

:

26:40

Metamorphosen, AV 142 is a composition for 23 solo strings by Richard Strauss. It was composed in 1945, during the final months of World War II, and premiered on January 25, 1946, in Zurich, Switzerland, conducted by Paul Sacher. The piece is divided into three movements, with the first and third movements being slow and the second movement being faster. The first movement begins with a mournful melody played by the cellos and basses, which is then taken up by the violas and violins. The music gradually builds in intensity, with the different sections of the orchestra playing off each other, until it reaches a climax. The second movement is more lively and rhythmic, with a dance-like quality. The third movement returns to the mournful mood of the first movement, with a haunting melody played by the violins and cellos. Metamorphosen is characterized by its lush harmonies, rich textures, and emotional intensity. It is often seen as a reflection of the devastation and loss that Strauss experienced during the war, particularly the destruction of the opera houses in Dresden and Munich. The piece is also notable for its use of musical quotation, with Strauss incorporating themes from his earlier works, including Don Juan and Death and Transfiguration. Overall, Metamorphosen is a powerful and deeply moving work that showcases Strauss's mastery of orchestration and his ability to convey complex emotions through music. It remains a staple of the string orchestra repertoire and is widely regarded as one of Strauss's greatest works.

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