Two emblematic and brilliant symphonic poems, Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40 and Don Juan, Op. 20 take the Verbier Festival to the heart of Strauss’ œuvre. Here Strauss pushes the orchestral resources to their limits in creating music with a narrative, transforming literary clichés into true music sagas. Don Juan was inspired by the words of Nikolaus Lenau, while Ein Heldenleben seems to be a staging of the composer’s musical autobiography. With his symphonic poems, Richard Strauss reveals a mature style in these two works that have been popular since their premieres.

Under the baton of acclaimed conductors Neeme and Paavo Järvi, the Verbier Festival Orchestra presents a passionate performance of these landmark works.