Immerse yourself in the world of Richard Strauss with his captivating interpretation of Molière's "Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme," titled "Der Bürger als Edelmann." This 1999 release by Deutsche Grammophon is a delightful blend of classical music, opera, and orchestral arrangements, spanning nearly two hours of enchanting performances.
Strauss's composition is a vivid musical adaptation of Molière's comedy, complete with dances and interludes that bring the 17th-century play to life. The album features a rich tapestry of musical scenes, from lively overtures and elegant minuets to dramatic dialogues and ceremonial dances. Each track is meticulously crafted to capture the essence of Molière's wit and charm, enhanced by Strauss's distinctive musical style.
The performance is brought to life by the Via-Nova-Chor München and the Munich Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of Karl Anton Rickenbacher. The ensemble's precision and passion are evident in every note, making this recording a standout in Strauss's discography.
Whether you're a fan of classical music, opera, or simply appreciate fine orchestral arrangements, this album offers a unique and engaging listening experience. The detailed tracklist takes you through the three acts of the comedy, providing a comprehensive journey through Strauss's musical interpretation of Molière's timeless work.
Der Bürger als Edelmann - Comedy with dances by Molière / Act 1: OuvertüreRichard Strauss, Peter Ustinov, Munich Chamber Orchestra, Karl Anton Rickenbacher
Der Bürger als Edelmann - Comedy with dances by Molière / Act 1: "Dieses wurde..."Richard Strauss, Peter Ustinov
Der Bürger als Edelmann - Comedy with dances by Molière / Act 1: Auftritt JourdainRichard Strauss, Munich Chamber Orchestra, Karl Anton Rickenbacher
Der Bürger als Edelmann - Comedy with dances by Molière / Act 1: "Es tut mir leid..."Richard Strauss, Peter Ustinov
Der Bürger als Edelmann - Comedy with dances by Molière / Act 1: Couplet JourdainRichard Strauss, Peter Ustinov, Munich Chamber Orchestra, Karl Anton Rickenbacher
Der Bürger als Edelmann - Comedy with dances by Molière / Act 1: "Der Tanzmeister interveniert..."Richard Strauss, Peter Ustinov
Der Bürger als Edelmann - Comedy with dances by Molière / Act 1: Musikalisches GesprächRichard Strauss, Bodil Arnesen, Christa Mayer, Munich Chamber Orchestra, Karl Anton Rickenbacher
Der Bürger als Edelmann - Comedy with dances by Molière / Act 1: "Ha, das war höchst erfrischend..."Richard Strauss, Peter Ustinov
Der Bürger als Edelmann - Comedy with dances by Molière / Act 1: MenuettRichard Strauss, Peter Ustinov, Munich Chamber Orchestra, Karl Anton Rickenbacher
Der Bürger als Edelmann - Comedy with dances by Molière / Act 1: "Monsieur Jourdain..."Richard Strauss, Peter Ustinov
Der Bürger als Edelmann - Comedy with dances by Molière / Act 1: Der FechtmeisterRichard Strauss, Peter Ustinov, Munich Chamber Orchestra, Karl Anton Rickenbacher
Der Bürger als Edelmann - Comedy with dances by Molière / Act 1: "Diesen Bewegungsablauf..."Richard Strauss, Peter Ustinov
Der Bürger als Edelmann - Comedy with dances by Molière / Act 1: Auftritt und Tanz der SchneiderRichard Strauss, Munich Chamber Orchestra, Karl Anton Rickenbacher
Der Bürger als Edelmann - Comedy with dances by Molière / Act 1: "Es ist kurz nach Mittag..."Richard Strauss, Peter Ustinov
Der Bürger als Edelmann - Comedy with dances by Molière / Act 1: End of Act 1Richard Strauss, Peter Ustinov, Munich Chamber Orchestra, Karl Anton Rickenbacher
Der Bürger als Edelmann - Comedy with dances by Molière / Act 2: Prelude to Act IIRichard Strauss, Munich Chamber Orchestra, Karl Anton Rickenbacher
Der Bürger als Edelmann - Comedy with dances by Molière / Act 2: "Monsieur Jourdain..."Richard Strauss, Peter Ustinov
Der Bürger als Edelmann - Comedy with dances by Molière / Act 2: Auftritt CleonteRichard Strauss, Munich Chamber Orchestra, Karl Anton Rickenbacher
Der Bürger als Edelmann - Comedy with dances by Molière / Act 2: "Zwei Herren..." - Fortsetzung Auftritt des CleonteRichard Strauss, Peter Ustinov, Munich Chamber Orchestra, Karl Anton Rickenbacher
Der Bürger als Edelmann - Comedy with dances by Molière / Act 2: "Die beiden Fremden..."Richard Strauss, Peter Ustinov
Der Bürger als Edelmann - Comedy with dances by Molière / Act 2: IntermezzoRichard Strauss, Munich Chamber Orchestra, Karl Anton Rickenbacher
Der Bürger als Edelmann - Comedy with dances by Molière / Act 2: "Während des Intermezzo..."Richard Strauss, Peter Ustinov
Der Bürger als Edelmann - Comedy with dances by Molière / Act 2: Das DinnerRichard Strauss, Peter Ustinov, Munich Chamber Orchestra, Karl Anton Rickenbacher
Der Bürger als Edelmann - Comedy with dances by Molière / Act 2: "Der Küchenjunge ist..."Richard Strauss, Peter Ustinov
Der Bürger als Edelmann - Comedy with dances by Molière / Act 2: CouranteRichard Strauss, Peter Ustinov, Munich Chamber Orchestra, Karl Anton Rickenbacher
Der Bürger als Edelmann - Comedy with dances by Molière / Act 2: "Der Alkohol zeigt..."Richard Strauss, Peter Ustinov
Der Bürger als Edelmann - Comedy with dances by Molière / Act 2: End of Act 2Richard Strauss, Peter Ustinov, Munich Chamber Orchestra, Karl Anton Rickenbacher
Der Bürger als Edelmann - Comedy with dances by Molière / Act 3: PreludeRichard Strauss, Munich Chamber Orchestra, Karl Anton Rickenbacher
Der Bürger als Edelmann - Comedy with dances by Molière / Act 3: "Der nächste Tag..."Richard Strauss, Peter Ustinov
Der Bürger als Edelmann - Comedy with dances by Molière / Act 3: MelodramRichard Strauss, Peter Ustinov, Munich Chamber Orchestra, Karl Anton Rickenbacher
Der Bürger als Edelmann - Comedy with dances by Molière / Act 3: "Die beiden Lakaien..."Richard Strauss, Peter Ustinov
Der Bürger als Edelmann - Comedy with dances by Molière / Act 3: Türkische ZeremonieRichard Strauss, Florian Cerny, via-nova-Chor München, Munich Chamber Orchestra, Karl Anton Rickenbacher
Der Bürger als Edelmann - Comedy with dances by Molière / Act 3: "Nachdem die Derwische..."Richard Strauss, Peter Ustinov
Der Bürger als Edelmann - Comedy with dances by Molière / Act 3: End of Act 3Richard Strauss, Peter Ustinov, Bodil Arnesen, Christa Mayer, Florian Cerny, via-nova-Chor München, Munich Chamber Orchestra, Karl Anton Rickenbacher
Richard Strauss, born in Munich in 1864, was a titan of late Romantic and early modern classical music, renowned for his innovative tone poems and operas. As a successor to the likes of Richard Wagner and Franz Liszt, Strauss' compositions are celebrated for their pioneering orchestration and advanced harmonic styles. His prolific career spanned over five decades, during which he composed 16 operas that continue to be widely performed today. Strauss' music, characterized by its dramatic intensity and rich orchestration, offers an immersive experience that transcends time, making him a dominant figure in classical music at the turn of the 20th century. His works, ranging from orchestral masterpieces to operatic triumphs, continue to captivate audiences worldwide. Strauss' legacy as a composer and conductor is a testament to his enduring influence on the world of classical music.