Staatskapelle Dresden
Christian Thielemann | direction
The Staatskapelle Dresden, Christian Thielemann and Richard Strauss: a trio at the peak of their powers.
Weber Jubel-Ouvertüre Op. 59
Wagner Tannhäuser, Overture
Strauss Ainsi parlait Zarathoustra Op. 30
Suite from Der Rosenkavalier
Richard Strauss and the Staatskapelle Dresden worked closely together for over sixty years. Nine of his fifteen operas were premiered in Dresden including Salome, Elektra and Der Rosenkavalier, and the Alpine Symphony was dedicated to the orchestra. This reflects the deep affinity which existed between the musicians and the composer. It is no exaggeration to suggest that the same intense relationship exists between Christian Thielemann and Strauss, as he has conducted and recorded most of the composer’s major works with fiendish precision, in many instances with the Dresden orchestra. In the wake of Beethoven, the German symphonic tradition no longer made any secret of its pronounced tendency to disseminate non-musical ideas in works, however it had not yet embraced the symphonic poem genre. While Liszt was a forerunner in the form, it was Strauss who established its credentials. By way of introduction to this feast of Strauss, we present the Jubel overture by Weber and the overture to Tannhäuser by Wagner.
Production Théâtre des Champs-Elysées