Ainsi parlait Zarathoustra Burlesque

Description

Thus Spoke Zarathustra op. 30 (1896) is one of the greatest symphonic poems composed by Richard Strauss, if not one of the greatest symphonic poems of all time. Its main theme, accompanied by timpani and chords that highlight the power of the brass, was known long before it became the soundtrack for Stanley Kubrick's film. Fifty years ago, this composition challenged the boundaries of classical music and became known to all. Its cumbersome title and the obvious connection to Nietzsche's eponymous work initially seemed to hinder its success. However, Nietzsche himself had also detected "something symphonic" in his poem. Burlesque, Strauss's piece for piano and orchestra, has a completely different tone. It was written ten years earlier, around 1885, when the young composer was becoming Kapellmeister of the Meiningen Orchestra and assistant to Hans von Bülow. Initially titled Scherzo, the poem was dedicated to Bülow, Strauss's spiritual father. The first concert took place in Eisenach in 1890. In this recording, the soloist and orchestra truly play together joyful and decidedly burlesque themes. Strauss had not yet reached the musical maturity he would develop through his contact with Liszt and Wagner, and he referred to Burlesque as a work "belonging to the past." Its performances were rare for several years. Nevertheless, the work has experienced a resurgence of interest in the past twenty years, particularly thanks to Glenn Gould.