Strauss' "Don Quixote" and "An Alpine Symphony" - Thoughts?

I cannot compare the two works, because I haven't knowingly listened to An Alpine Symphony (probably heard it on the radio at some stage). However, I have heard Don Quixote once in a live concert and then bought a recording of it which has been much listened to (not so much in recent years though), and I must say I have always absolutely adored this piece of music. It is by far my favourite work by Richard Strauss (who is not a composer I'm particularly fond of). Of course, it helps that Don Quixote is also one of my favourite books, which I had read long before I got the chance to hear the music, meaning I was familiar with the story. Also, I probably should add that the live concert was the first time I heard Don Quixote, and that the programme booklet for the performance included a very detailed introduction and description of the music and the story it tells as well as the rather interesting orchestration. This may sound rather immature, but give me a piece of classical music that uses a wind machine and I'm sold!

I've tried Don Quixote but it can't help but bore me.

I'd listen to Alpine over Ein Heldenleben & Till every time, & is infinitely better than DQ. I love the journey, the power of At the Summit, the wonderful way in which he brings in the rain / storm, the beauty of the sunset (very moving). That ending, leading to the repeat of that magnificent opening with strings in that thick blanket chord, is quite magical. I think it was of this work that Strauss said 'at least I've learned how to orchestrate'. I thought the orchestration in ASZ & Don Juan was pretty good too!

No, Metamorphosen is in a different boat from the tone poems, imo.

I agree. I'm pretty familiar with most of Strauss' tone poems, except Don Quixote. I just haven't been able to get into it.

Alpine is a wonderfully evocative work, with really dazzling orchestration, moving climaxes, and a quite solemn, heart felt ending. I always feel I have journeyed through a beautiful countryside after listening to it.

However one categorizes Metamorphosen, it's also a great work.

An Alpine Symphony is one of my favourite Strauss works. Great to just relax and let it wash over you.

Pretty indifferent to DQ.


You're my wife now.

Judging from the recording history of An Alpine Symphony I've seen on Wikipedia, it looks like the 1980 DG recording with von Karajan and Berlin was the one that finally put it over the top, because there were only a few recordings before it, but many after. In fact, many consider this to be the benchmark recording, and indeed, it is truly electrifying from start to finish.

It's pretty fantastic, though regarding earlier recordings, Kempe's is wonderful too. Haven't decided as to a favourite recording yet...have you heard the recent Thielemann one? It's hard to ignore...& the sound is awesome.

The entire set of recordings by Kempe and the Staatskapelle are available on YouTube (at the moment). I should probably have a listen to them all before they get deleted. I'd imagine the sound for the Thielmann recording would be an improvement as you say.

Apparently that DG recording was either the first CD released, or very nearly the first. It was a great piece to show off the capabilities of the CD, allowing a 50+ minute single movement to be played without interruption.