Tod und Verklärung (Death and Transfiguration)

Richard Strauss

Op. 24

Recordings

Top Choice

Herbert von Karajan / Berlin Philharmonic

1972

Top choice, one of Karajan's greatest recordings. A tour de force. Beautifully handles the hushed opening, masterfully builds with purpose, gorgeous Berlin sound, amazing climax, and gorgeous ending.

Also Worth Hearing

George Szell / Cleveland Orchestra

1957

Also fantastic, one of Szell's best recordings. The playing is gorgeous, and he gets into the mood and atmosphere of the piece just about as well as anybody.

Pierre Monteux / San Francisco Symphony

1960 Much better recorded than his Heldenleben.

Monteux also sets the atmosphere. San Francisco plays beautifully. A very moving performance; Monteux always had humanity, which is excellent for this work.

Wilhelm Furtwängler / Vienna Philharmonic

1950 Less clear recording.

One of Furtwängler's greatest Strauss recordings. A deeply profound, deeply moving interpretation. The climax is just really overwhelming. Fantastic.