0 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
Perfect dover edition, 2003-11-14
I should firstly state that i am merely a 20 year old autodidact "musician", or better said "music-logyst", since i don't master any instrument. my wisdom is only intuitive.- REGARDING THE EDITION: dover edition is perfect, flawless.
- ALSO SPRACH ZARATHUSTRA: I believe it the best in the lot, although i do not enjoy it all. Straus intention was an homenage to Nietzshe's genius, an homenage he achieved only in: "of the backworldsmen", which i believe is the culmination, the highest piece of that kind of harmony wagner introduced in his "tristan und isolde" prelude.It starts with the "crescendo" of the cellos and violins creating a melodic armony, an aparent armony; and as the crescendo goes on and on the melodic-armony begins to be in danger by it, and so is evident to the spectator that if the crescendo continues, at some point, necessarily, the armony will blow up, vanish. The maximum of the string crescendo is power-full.
Reading clearly the symbols of music gives you the aptitude of recreating it, and this dover editions should become classics of shining representation.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
Three Great Tone Poems, 2003-08-12
Richard Strauss was in many ways the epitome of the late romatic composer, and perhaps the only true musical descendant of Richard Wagner. His tone poems, like any great piece of music, are like a whole seperate world.
The tone poems in this volume are three of his most popular. The escapades of Til Eulenspiegel, the familiar opening of Also Sprach Zarathustra (and the less familiar final bars that can't make up their mind what key to close in), and the 'heroic' Ein Heldenleben reveal Strauss at his most complex, lyrical, bombastic and egotistical. True masterworks worth repeated hearings.
The complexity of these scores is astounding. But with a little patience and experience, following along with the score can reveal many inner beauties of this music that is well worth the effort.
No complaints with Dover's edition. Large format, clearly printed, and economical. How does Dover do it? Recommended!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Just as great as Tone Poems Series I, 2001-12-08
Another superb score from Dover. It's large (9 3/8 x 12 1/4), lays easily on a stand or table, very readable, durable, and generally free of errors (notation-wise, it's perfect).
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
Excellent again, 2000-06-17
Richard Strauss' tone poems for orchestra are among the finest pieces of the music History, and we have to thank Dover Pubs. for reprinting and putting together all the music in this inexpensive edition. All the tone poems are impressive demostrations of orchestral force and virtuosism (specially Zarathustra), and with this book you can fully appreciate the genius of the author. The layout is very clear and easy readable, which is excellent to follow the music and enjoy it completely. At this price, it is a must for anyone willing to study the pieces or just to have a good time with Strauss' music. Definitely recommended, as well as the other volume (Series I).