Metselaar, Korngold & Strauss: "Vorfreude", Songs & "Ein Heldenleben"

A new chapter begins for the Vienna Symphony: with this concert, Andrés Orozco-Estrada makes his debut as their new chief conductor. Full of energy, elegancy and esprit, he leads the way through a festive program, beginning with the premiere of a commission from Dutch composer Carlijn Metselaar, appropriately entitled a "Fanfare". This is followed by sumptuous orchestral lieder by Erich Wolfgang Korngold, works that carry the flowery perfumed scent of the early 20th century, sung here by Christiane Karg. Finally, in the second part comes Richard Strauss' great Heldenleben or "Hero's Life". The title was almost certainly a reference to Strauss himself, whether meant ironically or not. With his tone poems, the young Strauss established himself as the most brilliant representative of modern German music of the end of the 19th century. An evening of magnificent music.