A Hero’s Life – Sydney Symphony

Sydney Scene | Shane | August 4, 2009 at 6:03 pm

‘I don’t see why I shouldn’t compose a symphony about myself,’ said Strauss, ‘I’m quite as interesting as Napoleon or Alexander.’ Strauss wasn’t entirely joking, and the result was A Hero’s Life.

The music isn’t the complete ego-trip you’d think – the hero is an ‘Artist’ of the Beethoven type, who contends with yapping critics and finds solace in loving arms. But when all is over the Artist’s identity is revealed as Strauss quotes themes (31 of them) from his own music!

Of course, there are other ways to make heroes in music: the piano concerto places the virtuoso in the spotlight, and one composer quoting another, as Brahms quotes Haydn, is a sincere tribute to profound inspiration.

BRAHMS Variations on a theme of Haydn
BARTÓK Piano Concerto No.2*
R STRAUSS Ein Heldenleben*

Simone Young conductor
Cédric Tiberghien piano

*Shortened program for Tea & Symphony (Fri 7 Aug)

Pre-concert talk by Genevieve Lang at 5.45pm in the Northern Foyer. (5 and 6 August only)