ON THIS DAY | German Composer Richard Strauss Born in 1864

The German Romantic composer's major contributions to the string repertoire include a violin concerto, piano quartet, and violin and cello sonatas

German Romantic composer Richard Strauss was born on this day in 1864.

He is most well known for his orchestral tone poems, prominently "Death and Transfiguration," Till Eulenspiegel’s "Merry Pranks," "Ein Heldenleben," "An Alpine Symphony," "Don Quixote," and "Metamorphosen."

These pieces were highly programmatic, depicting extra-musical narratives frequently drawn from literature. His signature works also include operas "Der Rosenkavalier" and "Salome."

By age 18, Strauss was a conductor, violinist, and pianist — and had already composed 140 works. He lost most of his wealth during World War I and, around the time of World War II, served as President of the German State Music Bureau. He died in 1949 at age 85.

STRAUSS | ALSO SPRACH ZARATHUSTRA | DUDAMEL & BERLIN PHILHARMONIC | 2012