STRAUSS, Richard – The ‘Vienna Philharmonic Fanfare’ – 4 CELLOS AND 2 DOUBLE BASSES or SYMPHONIC LOWER STINGS

Other Identification:
Richard Strauss is a truly major composer of orchestral and vocal music, with outstanding contributions in the symphonic poem and in opera. best known for his work in two major genres: the tone poem and opera. By the years of the World War I his most notable compositions brought Strauss lasting fame during his lifetime and afterward; just a few mentions might be Also sprach Zarathustra, Don Quixote, Don Juan, Salome and Elektra ….

From the 1920s and until his death in 1949 he certainly wrote fewer works, but perhaps these are even more personal than his more youthful music. Such a fine example is the present Fanfare. The Vienna Philharmonic Fanfare is known in the German speaking lands known as ‘Wiener Philharmoniker Fanfare’ or ‘Fanfare für die Wiener Philharmoniker’. Written in 1924, Strauss penned this for the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra’s first benefit ball, the purpose of which was to raise money for the musicians’ pension fund. The music was originally ‘premiered’ whilst the honoured guests were arriving at the event, and the work made such an impact that it has subsequently been performed every year since at the Philharmonic’s annual ball! Outside Austria it has become a great favourite among brass players worldwide in its original form as a large scale brass ensemble work. The scoring is for 6 trumpets, 8 horns, 6 trombones, 2 tubas, 2 timpani and the key chosen by Strauss was Eb Major.