Strauss

Richard Strauss is an outlier in the context of twentieth century music. Some consider him a composer of the late romantic period while others declare him a traitor of modernity for his role in National Socialism. Despite the controversy surrounding him Strauss's works--even beyond his most well-known operas <em>Elektra</em> and <em>Rosenkavalier</em>--are present in the repertories of concert halls worldwide and continue to enjoy large audiences. The details of the composer's life however remain shrouded in mystery and gossip. Laurenz L�tteken's <em>Strauss</em> presents a fresh approach to understanding this elusive composer's life and works. Dispensing with stereotypes and sensationalism it reveals Strauss to be a sensitive intellectual and representative of modernity with all light and shade of the turn of the twentieth century.<br>