Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life)

Richard Strauss

Op. 40

Recordings

Top Choice

Eugene Ormandy / Philadelphia Orchestra

1960 Really well-recorded. Features concertmaster Anshel Brusilow.

Top choice. Beautifully played. Ormandy understands this sprawling work through and through and 'sells' it. The solo violin (Anshel Brusilow) is a standout. Wonderful sense of completion.

Also Worth Hearing

Herbert von Karajan / Berlin Philharmonic

1974 Very well recorded, nice clarity and fullness.

The 'Karajan treatment'. Gorgeous, luscious, mesmerizing sound that sells this difficult work. Powerful, dramatic, and incredible sound from the orchestra.

Label: EMI

Pierre Monteux / San Francisco Symphony

1947 Fairly rough sounding, playing is a bit rough.

A very good job of storytelling. Very dramatic and powerful. The interpretation is very important here, and Monteux can make you appreciate it.

Willem Mengelberg / New York Philharmonic

1928 Legendary, iconic recording. Dedicated to Mengelberg. Limited sound, but details come through.

Iconic recording, dedicated to the conductor. Mengelberg had wonderful insights, very flexible, and looked into the meaning. Wonderful sense of arrival. A fantastic recording.