Death and Transfiguration

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Strauss' tone poem in four movements was composed in 1889 and as the title suggests, it describes a dying man reflecting on his life. The final movement depicts the last moments of the man's life, starting softly then building to a heavenly swell of strings before gently fading. It is said that on his own deathbed Strauss told his daughter in-law “It’s a funny thing Alice, dying is just the way I composed it.” Composer: Richard Strauss Performers: BBC National Orchestra of Wales Conductor: Thomas Søndergård Recording date: 11 August 2014 Date of broadcast: 11 August 2014