Richard Strauss conducts his Ein Heldenleben, Tone - Poem op.40 1/3

[JollyRoger462]

Richard Strauss conducts his Ein Heldenleben ? Wow. That's what I call original performance. Who can better conduct if not the composer himself...

[tedly10027]

@JollyRoger462 in a book - i think by struass on conducting -- he had some funny instructions: "NEVER look at the horns and brass ..you will only encourage them" to play too loud...hehe. as conductor he was known for advocating very minimal gestures..amazing to watch how he "conducted" instead -- with his EYES or glance alone.

[pointreyes6]

That's how the opening to Heldenleben should be played!

[mortalfrog0815]

@pointreyes6 obviously

[elifschitz]

the sound is sped up, the pitch is a half tone too high

[TheTradge]

@elifschitz yeah i noticed that too! maybe it was a bad quality record player or conversion software?

[sallyrob101]

This was part of a series of experimental high fidelity recordings that Strauss made in 1944 with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. It was made using the Magnetophon, the first modern tape recording machine, which was adapted by the Ampex Corporation after the war. Tape recording revolutionized the recording industry. These were also probably the best recordings Strauss ever made because, for some reason, he put more effort to getting definitive performances.