Richard Strauss (born in Munich in 1864, died in Garmisch-Partenkirchen in 1949) is undoubtedly one of the most important composers of the late Romantic period. His works combine sophisticated harmonies with colourful instrumentation in an exemplary manner. With his symphonic poems such as ‘Don Juan’, ‘Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks’, ‘Thus Spoke Zarathustra’, ‘An Alpine Symphony’ and his operas such as ‘The Knight of the Rose’, ‘Ariadne on Naxos’, “Arabella”, ‘Capriccio’, etc., he has created an extraordinary monument not only to himself but also to posterity. What makes the composer Richard Strauss particularly appealing, however, is the fact that he not only enriched all musical genres creatively, but also put numerous pieces of functional music to paper.

Having written a whole series of pieces for large brass ensembles, such as ‘Feierlicher Einzug der Ritter des Johanniterordens’ (Solemn Entry of the Knights of the Order of St John), ‘Wiener Philharmoniker Fanfare’ (Vienna Philharmonic Fanfare), ‘Festmusik der Stadt Wien’ (Festive Music of the City of Vienna), ‘Fanfare zur Eröffnung der Musikwoche der Stadt Wien’ (Fanfare for the Opening of the Music Week of the City of Vienna), etc., Richard Strauss is also highly regarded in the wind and brass music scene.

To expand this very special repertoire a little further, South Tyrolean composer Gottfried Veit wrote this ‘stylistic copy’ in an instrumentation typical of Strauss for 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, 4 horns, a bass tuba and 4 timpani. This work, entitled ‘Richard Strauss Music II (No. 2)’, follows on from Gottfried Veit’s ‘Richard Strauss Music’ and aims to be nothing more and nothing less than a fitting tribute to the master Richard Strauss.