(1864-1949)
In the year of the 50th anniversary of Strauss's death, Anthony Burton presents a chronological survey of a composing career that lasted almost three-quarters of a century. The week's programmes mix familiar and unfamiliar works and include recordings made specially for the programme by the BBC Symphony Orchestra, conductor Andrew Davis.
1: 1876-88. This first programme traces Strauss's rapid progress from his first published work - a Festival March written at the age of 12 - via the Wind Serenade, a group of songs and the Violin Sonata, to his first great international success - the tone poem Don Juan , performed by the Dresden Staatskapelle, conductor Rudolf Kempe. Producer Susan Kenyon
Repeated next Monday 12 midnight