Richard Strauss Popular Songs Ranking [2025]

Ariadne of NaxosRichard Strauss15rank/position

R. Strauss: Ariadne auf Naxos: “Großmächtige Prinzessin”

Richard Strauss, known for his tone poems Don Juan and Macbeth, was the son of the principal horn player of the Munich Court Orchestra, and under his father’s musical guidance he began serious composition at the age of six.

Having composed from an early age, Strauss left a large body of work, including more than 200 songs.

This piece is an opera based on Greek mythology, notable for its fusion of tragedy and comedy.

Despite the small orchestral forces, Strauss’s masterful musical expression shines through.

The revised version, which premiered at the Vienna Court Opera on October 4, 1916, is still performed today.

It’s a recommended piece for those interested in classical music or looking to discover new charms in opera.

Horn Concerto No. 1 in E-flat majorRichard Strauss16rank/position

R. Strauss / Horn Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major, Op. 11

This is a work composed by Richard Strauss when he was about 18 years old.

Written in homage to his father, the piece is one of the most important repertoire items for horn players.

Its three movements are played without a break, and the music is distinguished by a youthful, radiant atmosphere.

The first movement features a brilliant, fanfare-like theme; the second presents a calm, expansive melody; and the third has a light, exhilarating character.

The horn’s soft, beautiful timbre stands out throughout.

The piece was premiered in 1883 with piano accompaniment, and later received its orchestral premiere on March 4, 1885.

It’s a highly recommended work for lovers of classical music.

Horn Concerto No. 2 in E-flat majorRichard Strauss17rank/position

R. Strauss: Horn Concerto No. 2, Brain & Sawallisch (1956) R. Strauss Horn Concerto No. 2 Brain

This is a late masterpiece by Richard Strauss.

Strauss’s father was a horn player, and Strauss was familiar with the horn’s timbre from an early age.

This work reflects Strauss’s mature compositional technique and deep musical insight.

It consists of three movements, with the third movement in particular conveying a lightness and brightness that feel like an homage to Mozart.

Premiered at the Salzburg Festival on August 11, 1943, the piece maintains a hopeful atmosphere despite the wartime context.

It fully draws out the horn’s rich expressive capabilities, making it recommended not only for classical music fans but also for anyone captivated by the charm of the horn.

Metamorphosen: Étude for 23 Solo String InstrumentsRichard Strauss18rank/position

♪ Richard Strauss: Metamorphosen (Study for 23 Solo Strings), TrV 290 / André Previn conducting the Vienna Philharmonic, February 1986

Completed in April 1945 near the end of World War II, this piece is a set of variations written for 23 string players.

It conveys deep sorrow over the cultural losses caused by the war and quotes a motif from the second movement of Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony.

Characterized by intricately woven, complex harmonies, it reflects Strauss’s spirit of artistic exploration.

It is a highly recommended work not only for classical music enthusiasts but also for those interested in the relationship between war and music.

Violin SonataRichard Strauss19rank/position

Richard Strauss : Violin Sonata in E flat major, Op.18

Richard Strauss, a leading figure of the late Romantic era, was a composer born in Munich in 1864.

His musical career accelerated through his father’s connections, and he also rose to prominence as a conductor.

This work is his only violin sonata, composed between 1887 and 1888.

While it follows the classical three-movement form, it strongly reflects Strauss’s distinctive individuality.

In particular, the second movement, “Improvisation,” is characterized by its sweet, beautiful melodies and conveys a romantic passion that evokes his meeting with the soprano Pauline de Ahna, whom he would later marry.

For classical music enthusiasts, this is a compelling piece that epitomizes a turning point in Strauss’s style, and one I highly recommend listening to.

Domestic SymphonyRichard Strauss20rank/position

R. Strauss / Symphonia Domestica, Op. 53 / Zubin Mehta (cond.) Berlin Philharmonic (November 27, 1983)

This is a programmatic symphony depicting domestic life by Richard Strauss, a composer who represents the late Romantic period in Germany.

Born in Munich in June 1864, Strauss began serious composition at the age of six under his father’s influence.

Composed between 1902 and 1903, the work premiered in New York in March 1904.

It is scored for a large orchestra with quadruple winds and has a performance time of about 43 minutes.

Three principal themes portray Strauss himself, his wife Pauline, and their son Franz, with everyday family life expressed through music.

The piece showcases Strauss’s outstanding orchestration and his deep affection for family life.

It is recommended for those interested in classical music or who enjoy works that portray daily life through music.

Double Little Concerto in F major, TrV 293, for Clarinet and Bassoon with String Orchestra and HarpRichard Strauss21rank/position

R. Strauss: Duet-Concertino, Geuser & Fugmann (1953) R. Strauss Duet-Concertino Goiser & Fugmann

Let me introduce a late work by Richard Strauss.

Composed in 1947, this piece is a double concerto for clarinet and bassoon, featuring the unusual scoring of string orchestra and harp as accompaniment.

It was originally intended to include a narrative element—something like “The Swineherd and the Princess”—but ultimately was completed as a purely instrumental work.

Lasting about 20 minutes, its three movements are performed without a break, and the beautiful dialogue between clarinet and bassoon is especially striking.

It reflects Strauss’s mature style and is a highly recommended piece for classical music enthusiasts.