Is it a stupendous work of art, a shameless piece of self-promotion, or a mockery of the music business? Maybe it's all three. "Ein Heldenleben,""A Hero's Life," by (and about) Richard Strauss. Strauss told a friend "I don't see why I shouldn't write a symphony about myself, I find myself as interesting as Napoleon." Whether you take the grandiose plot seriously, or see it as Strauss poking fun at his critics, it's an astonishing and entertaining piece. Bernard Haitink conducts the Chicago Symphony, in concert at Orchestra Hall in downtown Chicago.
Episode Playlist
Hour 1
Bedrich Smetana: Memories of Bohemia in the form of a Polka, Op. 12, No. 2
Peter Schmalfuss, piano
Domenico Scarlatti: The Cat's Fugue, K. 30, L. 499
The Georgia Guitar Quartet
Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall, Athens, Georgia
Heinrich von Biber: Sonata Representativa in A for Violin and Continuo, C. 146
Ida Kavafian, violin, Kenneth Cooper, harpsichord, Andreas Brantelid, cello
Alice Tully Hall, New York City
Alexander Alabiev: The Nightingale
Maxim Rubtsov, flute, Pamela Penick, piano
University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Bedrich Smetana: From Bohemia's Fields and Groves, from Ma Vlast
The Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra, Leonard Slatkin, conductor
Old Opera, Frankfurt, Germany
Philipp Heinrich Erlebach: Overture No. 5 in F
The Academy for Ancient Music, Berlin
Spivey Hall, Morrow, Georgia
Hour 2
Peter Tchaikovsky: Waltz from Sleeping Beauty
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Morton Gould, conductor
Felix Mendelssohn: Excerpt from Twelve Fugues for String Quartet
The Shanghai Quartet
Museum of Jewish Heritage, New York City
Sergei Rachmaninoff: Waltz for Piano, Six Hands
Daniel Gerzenberg, Anton Gerzenberg, Lilya Zilberstein, piano
Lugano Festival Lugano, Switzerland
Richard Strauss: Excerpts from Ein Heldenleben
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Bernard Haitink, conductor
Orchestra Hall, Chicago
Love the music?
Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.
Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.
YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.
Your Donation
About Performance Today®
To find a station near you on our Stations Listings page, click here.
American Public Media’s Performance Today® is America’s most popular classical music radio program and a winner of the 2014 Gabriel Award for artistic achievement. The show is broadcast on hundreds of public radio stations across the country, including at 1 p.m. central weekdays on Minnesota Public Radio. More information about our stations can be found at APM Distribution.
Performance Today® features live concert recordings that can’t be heard anywhere else, highlights from new album releases, and in-studio performances and interviews. Performance Today® is based at the APM studios in St. Paul, Minnesota, but is frequently on the road, with special programs broadcast from festivals and public radio stations around the country. Also, each Wednesday, composer Bruce Adolphe joins host Fred Child for a classical musical game and listener favorite: the Piano Puzzler.
How do I leave a comment?
Send us a comment here.
