An Alpine Symphony, Op. 64
Richard Strauss
Work background
Researched classical background
Strauss's Alpine Symphony follows a mountain journey across twenty-two connected sections, from night and sunrise through ascent, summit, storm, and return to darkness. Despite the title, its design is a continuous sequence of programmatic episodes rather than a conventional four-movement symphony. The unusually large orchestra allows fine-grained nature effects as well as enormous climaxes.
Inspiration and creative background
Strauss's section headings explicitly describe the events and surroundings of a day in the mountains.
Eine Alpensinfonie (An Alpine Symphony), Op. 64 - LA Phil
Work identity, chronology where stated, and the specific musical or historical context summarized in this entry. | Reviewed 2026-10-19
A listening guide
Follow the ascent and descent in the section titles, and notice how music from the outward journey changes on the return.
Listening suggestions are editorial guides to the music.
Forces: Very large orchestra, including organ, offstage brass, and expanded percussion
Premiere: 1915
The Dresden Court Orchestra introduced the work in Berlin under Strauss; composition preceded the premiere.
This entry describes the musical work or cycle. Composition, premiere and publication dates describe different events. Performers and recordings can be explored through the external listening search.
Also known as: Eine Alpensinfonie
Eine Alpensinfonie (An Alpine Symphony), Op. 64 - LA Phil
Work identity, chronology where stated, and the specific musical or historical context summarized in this entry. | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Sources for this work
Eine Alpensinfonie (An Alpine Symphony), Op. 64 - LA Phil
Work identity, chronology where stated, and the specific musical or historical context summarized in this entry. | Reviewed 2026-10-19
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