リヒャルト・シュトラウス

About the Author

Richard Strauss (1864-1949) was a towering figure in late Romantic and early modern music, renowned for his masterful orchestration and innovative approach to opera and tone poems. Born in Munich to a renowned horn player, Strauss displayed prodigious talent from a young age, composing his first symphony at 17. He rose to prominence with symphonic poems like Don Juan, which vividly depicted literary and mythological themes through lush, programmatic music. As a conductor, he led major orchestras across Europe, while his operas, including Salome and Der Rosenkavalier, pushed boundaries with psychological depth and harmonic daring. Strauss's works, such as the tone poem Don Juan (Op. 20), exemplify his ability to blend Wagnerian influences with personal lyricism, leaving an indelible mark on 20th-century music.