A monthly series that explores the ideas and philosophies behind masterpieces of the 20th-century orchestral repertoire. On the surface, Richard Strauss 's Alpine
Symphony(1911-15) appears to depict in musical terms an innocent and exhilarating day's climbing in the Austrian Alps. But the work's original title - The Antichrist-suggests a more complex and challenging basis for the piece. Alan Hall examines the mind of the composer as he worked on this symphony. With insights from people who have experienced Alpine climbs, music experts Michael Kennedy , Dr Peter Franklin and Christopher Morris , and contributors from Strauss's Alpine home, Garmisch, including Christian Wolf of the Strauss Institute.
8.10 Strauss Alpine Symphony, Op 64 Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, conductor Christian Thielemann