Richard Strauss really hates you

Richard Strauss really hates you

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norman lebrecht

November 21, 2019

A rare photograph of the composer, aged 40, in 1904.

Comments

  • Fan says:

    Only less than half of the journey was through on this train…

  • RW2013 says:

    But we love him!

  • Amos says:

    Someone had the temerity to interrupt the card game and indicated that the concert he was conducting was about to begin.

  • Camillo Praschnicker says:

    A very famous portrait by Alfred Steichen. Maybee not famous for Straussians, but famous in the history o fotography.

  • cym says:

    Certainly not a hint of hate in RS « Four Last Songs » …

  • Hilary says:

    Can’t be that rare as I’ve seen it before. Distinctive nonetheless.

  • Rob says:

    He had Salome in his head when this was taken.

    • John Borstlap says:

      It is more likely that just at that moment Pauline came in with instructions to do some shopping for her in the village.

      I’m not making this up. There is a story which describes Strauss working feverishly on the seduction scene from Salome when his wife entered his study and silently put two empty milk bottles on the table, next to Salome’s rutting screams.

      • John Rook says:

        …and Strauss dutifully went and bought some milk, resuming later where he left off. The man – a left-hander, as it seems from a study of his desk – was an absolute genius. As RW2013 deftly states, we love him. Thanks for bringing this up, John.

    • cym says:

      … or perhaps an Elektra shock !

  • Sixtus says:

    His reaction on hearing that more recordings of Der Rosenkavalier, Elektra and Die Frau ohne Schatten with cuts have been issued.

  • A Pianist says:

    Must have been whist. I’ve read that just about the only way to enjoy Richard Strauss’ company was to play whist. If his game was interrupted I’m sure he was furious.

  • Ceasar says:

    Just realizing he was seated in this photo. I always thought he was striking some catlike pose.

  • Larry L. Lash / Vienna says:

    I always though it was tenors who he hated.

  • Tom Varley says:

    It reminds me of this photo of Charles Ives. http://www.musicweb-international.com/Ives/PP_2_16.htm

  • fflambeau says:

    He was on his way to play Dracula on the stage.

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