RICHARD STRAUSS (1864-1949): Festliches Praeludium, Op. 61 (w/Christoph Anselm Noll [organ]), FRANZ SCHMIDT (1874-1939): Symphony No. 2 in E Flat.

Description: The Schmidt Second is becoming The Four Seasons of rare repertoire. But this is offered for what may be the least-recorded of Strauss’ mature works, the 12-minute piece written for the 1913 opening of the Vienna Konzerthaus. Opening with an organ solo, it gradually increases in pomp and ceremony and ends in a grandiose wall of sound which reminds us that the Alpine Symphony was only three opus numbers away. Beethoven Orchester Bonn; Stefan Blumier.