Richard Strauss: Vier Letzte Lieder (Four Last Songs) [CD de audio] Orchesterlieder, Margiono, Richard Strauss and Edo de Waart

Strauss's 'four last songs' close an entire era in the history of music: with this small and melancholic cycle, the late romantic period seems to close forever. It is a clearly dismissive tone in Strauss's music, and although he did not want to publish the pieces as a group (the title is not his either), they were his last works. He had gone into exile to Switzerland after the war, and lived in difficult conditions due to his former connection with the Nazis. His situation improved in 1947, when Sir Thomas Beecham rehabilitated his music in London. The 'Four Last Cantos', partly based on texts by Hermann Hesse, were premiered in 1950 at the Royal Albert Hall, a year after Strauss's death. After the last song 'Sunset', the audience fell silent. Wilhelm Furtwängler conducted, and Kirsten Flagstad was the soprano. This CD contains an excellent recording of these delicate pieces and eight more songs, including 'Afecto'. More information - Detailed booklet text with song texts and background knowledge.