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Richard Strauss (1864-1949)
Serenade for Winds, Op. 7
Strauss is a celebrated composer of opera and symphonic poems. A post-Romantic composer, he like Mahler was an honored conductor, who had been trained by Hans von Bülow. During his lifetime, Strauss received many distinguished musical honors and was recognized as a musical innovator during the first half of the 20th century. Although he was only 16 when he composed the Serenade for Winds, Op. 7, it remains an important developmental work.
He began piano lessons at the age of four. At age seven he entered the Cathedral School of Music in Munich. Later at age 10, while enrolled in Grammar School, he met two other boys who shared his musical interests. These boys, Max Steinitzer and Arthur Seidl, were to become Strauss' future biographers. While the composer studied both the violin and piano, he also began composition lessons at age 11. His composition mentor was the conductor of the Court Orchestra, Hofkapellmeister Friedrich Wilhelm Meyer. At age 16, Strauss discontinued composition lessons. However, he went on to compose many pieces, among which is the Serenade for Winds, Op. 7. He dedicated this work in gratitude to his mentor, Friedrich Wilhelm Meyer.
The Wind Serenade was one of Strauss' youthful works. He felt that his earlier works "showed talent but little originality". It was Strauss' wish that his early works be neither published nor performed. However, the Op. 7 is an excellent example of Romantic neoclassicism. This composition contains mature depth of expression, forceful harmonies, and is carefully crafted.
-- program notes by Laurien Jones