Richard Strauss really hates you
mainA rare photograph of the composer, aged 40, in 1904.
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Only less than half of the journey was through on this train…
But we love him!
Someone had the temerity to interrupt the card game and indicated that the concert he was conducting was about to begin.
A very famous portrait by Alfred Steichen. Maybee not famous for Straussians, but famous in the history o fotography.
Edward Steichen
Photography
Alfred, Edward, you can both be right, in a way…
The Met owns a print of this image, taken by Edward Steichen, and donated by Alfred Stieglitz. The image above is a crop of the full composition, unfortunately.
Not Edward Stieglitz? Sorry…
…taken during the composer’s visit to NYC for the a premier of Symphonia Domestica.
It somewhat resembles the famous Yousuf Karsch photographic portrait of Winston Churchill. Churchill wasn’t cooperating much so Karsch abruptly snatched away his cigar – and then snapped the shutter. One of the greatest glares ever captured in a photo, but this Strauss portrait comes close and may even surpass it.
Karsh.
Right you are – Karsh. But I got the Yousuf part right!
An iconic photo of Messiaen was achieved in the same way. Struggling to get an animated expression from the great composer, Malcolm Crowthers instructed Yvonne Loriod to remove his hat. In the moment of surprise Crowthers clicked.
Certainly not a hint of hate in RS « Four Last Songs » …
Can’t be that rare as I’ve seen it before. Distinctive nonetheless.
He had Salome in his head when this was taken.
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.
…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.
… or perhaps an Elektra shock !
His reaction on hearing that more recordings of Der Rosenkavalier, Elektra and Die Frau ohne Schatten with cuts have been issued.
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.
Skat?
Just realizing he was seated in this photo. I always thought he was striking some catlike pose.
I always though it was tenors who he hated.
It reminds me of this photo of Charles Ives. http://www.musicweb-international.com/Ives/PP_2_16.htm
Any more menacing than Charles Ives?
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/–p-mGOTatWg/TjF1f1J6avI/AAAAAAAAJZ0/ACKJhLRzdag/s1600/CharlesIves.jpg
He was on his way to play Dracula on the stage.