Album insights
In the spring of 1944, after completing a few sentences of the Second Wind Sonatina, Strauss started working on a composition for strings. Not long after, conductor Karl Böhm forwarded a request from Paul Sacher, a Swiss musician, for a string piece for Sacher's Collegium Musicum in Zurich. Despite doubts about its completion due to personal concerns and war-related depression, Strauss eventually finished the piece titled Metamorphosen in early 1945. This work evolved from an Adagio for 11 solo strings to a more elaborate piece for 23 soloists.
After the war ended, Strauss reflected on the devastations caused, particularly lamenting the loss of cultural heritage. "Metamorphosen" wasn't intended to pay tribute to Hitler, as some speculated. The title itself, inspired by Goethe's concept of spiritual evolution, suggested a deeper meaning. Strauss intentionally crafted monuments to celebrate German culture in his compositions during the years 1943-45.
Metamorphosen, starting with a haunting introduction in the deep strings, gradually unveils its motif played by the violas, as described by Norman Del Mar. The work's thematic developments and intricate structure lead to a profound musical journey, with echoes of significant musical influences subtly woven in. The piece builds up to a dramatic culmination echoing Beethoven, bringing closure that Strauss, whether consciously or not, deemed fitting.
Strauss's earlier work, the Piano Quartet, composed in 1885 and showcased here, reveals his growth as a composer. Despite its reminiscent Brahmsian style, the boldness and dramatic narrative in the Quartet stood out, earning recognition beyond its time. The quartet's success marked a milestone in Strauss's career, showcasing his ever-evolving style.
The capricious mood shifts mirrored in the Quartet hint at Strauss's future explorations, notably in the Metamorphosen. Similarly, the Sextet from Strauss's Capriccio opera begins with an intimate interchange, later venturing into exquisitely interwoven themes akin to Metamorphosen's emotional depth. The premiere of the Sextet marked a poignant chapter in the composer's life, reflecting a gesture of gratitude towards Vienna's cultural revival efforts post-war.
In summary, Strauss's journey from his earlier works like the Piano Quartet to later masterpieces like the Metamorphosen and the Sextet from Capriccio delineates a rich tapestry of evolving styles and influences. His compositions stand as enduring monuments to German cultural heritage, reverberating with complex emotional landscapes and profound thematic explorations.