Soul Music - Richard Strauss' Four Last Songs

Richard Strauss' Four Last Songs

Download Richard Strauss' Four Last Songs

Series exploring famous pieces of music and their emotional appeal.

Richard Strauss was 84 when he completed his last work. It was the Four Last Songs, which, although about death, convey a sense of calm acceptance. It was written of its time in 1948, but it still touches the hearts of many listeners today.

As the soprano voice delves ever deeper into the richness of the music, interviewees tell how the Four Last Songs have brought calm and beauty at key moments in their lives.

Contributors Alan Yentob Michael Kennedy Gillian Weir Margaret Nelson Jamie Nichols Gabe Meline

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2009.


Published on Tuesday, 29th September 2009.

Available Podcasts from Soul Music

Subscribe to Soul Music

We are not the BBC, we only list available podcasts. To find out more about the programme including episodes available on BBC iPlayer, go to the Soul Music webpage.