Richard Strauss

Strauss was the master of the tone poem and the late Romantic opera, known for his massive orchestral forces and his ability to tell complex stories through music. Works like 'Also sprach Zarathustra,' 'Don Juan,' and his operas 'Salome' and 'Elektra' showcase his technical brilliance and his bold, often shocking, harmonic language. Strausss music is characterized by its lush orchestration, dramatic intensity, and psychological depth. He remains a central figure in the transition to 20th-century music, pushing the boundaries of what the orchestra could achieve and leaving a legacy of powerful, evocative masterpieces.