Strauss: Four last songs

The South Birmingham Sinfonia will be performing this work as part of the Summer 2014 concert.

The Four Last Songs for soprano and orchestra were the final completed works of Richard Strauss, composed in 1948. The songs are "Frühling" (Spring), "September", "Beim Schlafengehen" (Going to sleep) and "Im Abendrot" (At sunset).

These are, as the title suggests, very much valedictory pieces for Strauss, and are breathtakingly beautiful. Fittingly for such a farewell, Strauss quotes some of the most poignant moments of some of his better known works, including Death and Transfiguration. This is a very special work and very much the perfect introduction to Strauss for any listener who does not know this music.

See also Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Last_Songs.