Musical Correspondents
The French writer Romain Rolland was an enthusiastic advocate of and perceptive commentator on the music of Richard Strauss. From his letters it is clear he thought of Strauss as the successor to Wagner, the embodiment of a thrusting new spirit in German music. But his admiration was tinged with a streak of distaste and anxiety - for the man, his manners and certain aspects of the music he loved so much. The programme includes excerpts from:
Also Sprach Zarathustra
Chicago Symphony Orchestra, conductor Georg Solti Sinfonia Domestica
Philadelphia Orchestra, conductor Wolfgang Sawallisch Elektra
Birgit Nilsson (soprano), Vienna
Philharmonic, conductor Georg Solti Salome
Karen Huffstodt (soprano), Lyon Opera, conductor Kent Nagano