KNOW YOUR CLASSICS
THIS is one of a new series of articles written for "The Listener" by
BESSIE
POLLARD
As with the preceding series, published some |
time ago, the aim is to help the student and the interested listener |
towards a more complete appreciation of good music.
(2) Tone Poem -A Hero’s Life, Op. 40 (Richard Strauss) RICHARD STRAUSS’S A Hero’s Life was introduced in Frankfurt-on-Main on March 3, 1899, the composer conducting, It does not portray an individual or historical figure, but is rather a more general and free ideal of a collective great and manly heroism. The work is in six sections-the first of which "The Hero" opens with this magnificent theme announced by violas, ‘cellos and horns, typifying the hero himself in all his youth, pride and strength-
Then follow three interwoven subjects, each expressing a fresh trait of the hero’s character; "A" and "B" below might suggest the emotional aspect of his personality, while "C" below represents his more self-assertive moments-
The second section-"The Hero’s Antagonists"-has three outstanding types, caricatured with caustic wit-‘A" below shows us the petty, vicious adversaries; "B" below, the insidious, crafty type; while "C" below stands for the smug, conservative sort-
Section three-"The Hero’s: Helpmate"-has been described as one of the great love-pages of modern music; its main theme is given to a solo violin ("A" below); a flourish of trumpets brings in section four-‘The Hero’s Battlefield" ("B" below). Here the hero plunges into battle-the theme of the loved one is heard, inspiring him to greater deeds; the foe is slain.
Strauss identifies himself with section five-‘The Hero’s Works of Peace"’by quoting themes from his own works, Don Juan, Thus Spake Zarathustra, Death and Transfiguration, Don Quixote, Till Eulenspiegel, Macbeth, the opera Guntram, and the lovely song Dream in the Twilight. ' The final section-"The Hero's Escape from the World"-incorporates this noble melody of resignation in the strings-
Resignation and contentment replace the hero’s former restlessness-the hero theme is heard, finally announced most solemnly by the brass. A Sein Lite, Op. 40, by Richard Strauss, will be heard from Station 2¥C on Friday, January 7, at 9.0 p.m. se
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZLIST19481231.2.30
Bibliographic details
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 20, Issue 497, 31 December 1948, Page 15
Word count
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356KNOW YOUR CLASSICS New Zealand Listener, Volume 20, Issue 497, 31 December 1948, Page 15
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Copyright in the work University Entrance by Janet Frame (credited as J.F., 22 March 1946, page 18), is owned by the Janet Frame Literary Trust. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this article and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the New Zealand Listener. You can search, browse, and print this article for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from the Janet Frame Literary Trust for any other use.
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