Composer, conductor of extraordinary talent, and erudite Richard Strauss is considered one of the most important figures in the history of Western European music. His musical language alternates between late romanticism, expressionism and neoclassicism. R. Strauss’ name is inextricably linked to masterpieces of orchestral music. Up to the 20th century, the composer was interested in the genre of the symphonic poem, writing them based on both philosophical and illustrative programmes.

The symphonic poem Also sprach Zarathustra (Thus Spoke Zarathustra) is a musical commentary on the philosopher and poet Friedrich Nietzsche’s famous prose poem. By choosing a theme from Nietzsche’s work, R. Strauss has shown a good sense of topicality. Nietzsche’s four-part poem proclaimed that the Christian ethic of worshipping the humble and the poor must be replaced by the ideal of a virtuous and noble superman, rising above good and evil. R. Strauss’ poem is most strongly influenced by the episodes in Nietzsche’s work that deal with nature and man. At the zenith of his creative maturity, the composer brought a number of remarkable discoveries to this work and demonstrated impressive innovations in orchestration.

R. Strauss’ magnificent sound poem is performed by the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Robertas Šervenikas, with violin solo by Rasa Vosyliūtė.