Strauss’ post-war masterpiece Metamorphosen is often seen as an impassioned cri de coeur for the death of German culture. But the composer’s choice of title was inspired by Goethe’s essay On the Metamorphosis of Plants, and his ravishing writing for 23 string soloists also evokes themes of rebirth, growth and transformation. Revisit our 2017 Proms performance of this devastatingly beautiful work on Aurora Play.

‘…the strings delivered an impassioned account of Strauss’s desolate but gorgeous Metamorphosen.’ ★★★★ The Sunday Times

Filmed live at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday 16 August 2017.
Free to watch on Aurora’s Youtube channel.
Footage courtesy of BBC Proms.