Andris Nelsons conducts Strauss and Beethoven | Philharmonia Orchestra

Beethoven's Fifth became a symphonic archetype for the Romantic generation. Its emotional journey from darkness to light, rescuing victory from the jaws of Fate, can be heard resonating strongly in music over the next century and beyond. Even the young firebrand, Richard Strauss, could not escape its omnipotent presence, as witness his mesmerising tone poem Tod und Verklärung ('Death and Transfiguration'), an extraordinary achievement for a 25-year-old, which traces an artist's final moments before being transported to 'the infinite reaches of Heaven'. Strauss's songs are magical distillations of his creative genius - he claimed that it took him around ten minutes to compose each one!

Tod und Verklärung (Death and Transfiguration)

Richard Strauss (1864-1949)

Symphony No 5 in C minor

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)

Waldseligkeit from 8 Lieder

Richard Strauss (1864-1949)

Ruhe, meine Seele from 4 Lieder

Richard Strauss (1864-1949)

Cäcilie from 4 Lieder

Richard Strauss (1864-1949)

Allerseelen from 8 Lieder aus Letzte Blatter

Richard Strauss (1864-1949)

Das Rosenband

Richard Strauss (1864-1949)

Location