Strauss - Ein Heldenleben · Oboe Concerto / Woodhams · The Philadelphia Orchestra

1. Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life), tone poem for orchestra, Op. 40 The Hero
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Philadelphia Orchestra Conducted by Wolfgang Sawallisch

2. Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life), tone poem for orchestra, Op. 40 The Hero's Adversaries
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Philadelphia Orchestra Conducted by Wolfgang Sawallisch

3. Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life), tone poem for orchestra, Op. 40 The Hero's Wife
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Philadelphia Orchestra Conducted by Wolfgang Sawallisch

4. Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life), tone poem for orchestra, Op. 40 Certainty of Victory
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Philadelphia Orchestra Conducted by Wolfgang Sawallisch

5. Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life), tone poem for orchestra, Op. 40 The Hero's Battlefield
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Philadelphia Orchestra Conducted by Wolfgang Sawallisch

6. Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life), tone poem for orchestra, Op. 40 War Fanfares
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Philadelphia Orchestra Conducted by Wolfgang Sawallisch

7. Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life), tone poem for orchestra, Op. 40 The Hero's Works of Peace The Hero's Retirement From the World and The Fulfilment of His Life
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Philadelphia Orchestra Conducted by Wolfgang Sawallisch

8. Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life), tone poem for orchestra, Op. 40 Renunciation
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Philadelphia Orchestra Conducted by Wolfgang Sawallisch

9. Oboe Concerto in D major, AV 144
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Philadelphia Orchestra with Richard Woodhams
Conducted by Wolfgang Sawallisch

Tracks:

Symphonic Poem: A Hero's Life: The Hero
Symphonic Poem: A Hero's Life: The Hero's Adversaries
Symphonic Poem: A Hero's Life: The Hero's Wife
Symphonic Poem: A Hero's Life: (Certainty Of Victory)
Symphonic Poem: A Hero's Life: The Hero's Battlefield
Symphonic Poem: A Hero's Life: (War Fanfares)
Symphonic Poem: A Hero's Life: The Hero's Works Of Peace
Symphonic Poem: A Hero's Life: (Renunciation)
Oboe con in D: I: Allegro Moderato
Oboe con in D: II: Andante
Oboe con in D: III: Vivace

Customer Reviews:

A Truly Must-Hear Perfomance.......2001-02-11

Richard Woodhams' perfomance of the Strauss Oboe Concerto is for many oboists the difinitive interpretation of Strauss' masterpiece. From the expansive opening phrases to the pieces final flurry of sixlets, Woodhams sustains a wonderful clarity of tone and elegance of style that is unmatched in any other recording of the piece I have heard (and I've heard a lot). Especially amazing is Woodhams' sweet, tender,relaxed--though never "flat" (in terms of prasing)-- performance of the deceptively difficult second movement. Woodhams' precision in the few technical passages is amazing as well. In my humble opinion, Mr. Woodhams' performance out-does all others, even that of his old teacher, John DeLancie, who inspired the creation of the work in the 1940s.

Track Listings: