Richard Strauss: Metamorphosen for 23 strings

[@paulpadillo4591]

I've just re-read my post and apologize for its length. I'm listening and watching this today, on the birthday celebration of Richard Strauss. Since my childhood, Strauss' METAMORPHOSEN FOR 23 STRINGS has been one of the most important orchestral works in my life. The history behind his beginning it, then the destruction of the Vienna Staatsoper, and his completion can be felt through every bar. Strauss masterfully applies all of the rhetorical means developed by artists over the centuries to express pain and sadness, but here. also is hope, and of course, echoes of Death and Transfiguration THIS performance has become a touchstone to me. One sleepless night in a nearly year long stay at hospital, barely kept alive and given only months to live, (after having already "technically" died for nearly an hour) this recording of the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra played as I lay on my deathbed. Tears then - just as now - would not stop flowing. I watched this performance all night, repeating it again and again. My response to a work I'd known and loved my entire life took on . . . something else and I truly believe this performance helped saved my life. If that sounds melodramatic, so be it, but from that night forward my health began slowly improving, the doctors - unaware of the NCO, taking note. I won't be convinced otherwise. The Norwegians, barefoot, positioned on a strange set of what appear to be enormous, antique manuscripts, along with haunting, atmospheric lighting, give a remarkable, and harrowingly beautiful performance. It is an opera sans words. In its unique way, I believe feel that everything that comes through in Strauss' score is why music was created in the first place. Here we are given the highest form of theatre: the telling of a story, of a journey, all done without words. Words would only get in the way here, as we travel to a space beyond understanding, imagination or even scope of reason. Metamorphosen remains staggering in its immensity and ability to move this audience of just one. The symbolism of the players' bare feet feeds into the total equation; innocence. . . death, and the reverence surrounding it . . . a separation from - yet part of - all earthly things, as well as entrance into holy spaces. I felt the suggestion of the sacred rite of “the ordinance of humility” here as well. ALL of these things become manifest as, as 23 separate threads become woven into the fabric of the whole. I may sound like a crazy person writing these things, and really, I suppose none of this needs to be brought to attention, or even to be known for this performance to achieve it transcendent effect. It just "is,” . . . and that is enough.

[@barbarajapp9312]

Oh, Paul....

[@Jana0815]

❤❤❤

[@GryphonWahle]

This should not be possible. The musicianship is beyond comprehension. I am left absolutely gutted after this performance. I hope this never is removed from here, or that there is a hard copy out there. This is not only the best performance of Metamorphosen, but it is the best performance of anything. If there were ever another Voyager project, this needs to be in there.

[@eole123456789]

Amen 🙏

[@staffanolofsson8201]

We dont need a Voyager project, we just need to look at the place we were born on. Thank you for your fine words about this music. A totally agree with you.

[@modfather1965]

The production is indeed striking; None have music to read, it simply flows flawlessly. The minimal costumes, including no foot covering, add to the simplicity or invisibility of the performers themselves. The backdrop appears to be luggage or baggage, heaped together or discarded... As if the dregs of the last days of WWII are being depicted.

[@trevorjones3273]

I am speechless. This is the most perfect act of communication in music I have seen. This ensemble surpasses anything I have ever seen or heard. No music, no shoes, just communication and love. Thank you.

[@staffanolofsson8201]

This is a masterpiece in interpreting Metamorphosen for 23 strings. It will never become better than this.

[@UnshavenStatue]

I think better is *possible*, but I don't think any other group in the world is capable of matching this

[@zalba5710]

Maybe there would if they wouldn’t be as focused standing up and playing by memory. That why they could have found all the original Legati.

[@staffanolofsson8201]

Thank you all, I think I have said all I want to say about this music. But of course I am glad about other people liking this music.

[@knd1940]

Thank you for this. Listening to Metamorphosen has always been a deeply moving experience for me but this is far beyond any other performance I've ever heard. And what an experience it must have been for the performers..

[@staffanolofsson8201]

Thank you Kenneth, for me is has also been an experiece beyond belief.

[@stuartpoyser6678]

I happened upon this recording by chance and thought the comments were youtube hyperbole. I was wrong. I have been playing in orchestras for 30 years: this is the most amazing performance I've ever seen. Perhaps others have affected me more emotionally. But none has ever shown humans working together to produce an experience that transcends all else

[@ericoschmitt]

H o l y s h i t this is so incredible! I had watched their recording of Verklaerte Nacht some 20 times already and only now I found this. Just perfect, I dream of taking part in a performance like this one. The long silence in the end gave me chills and I even clapped. All from memory and no shoes (yes I walk barefoot most of my time). Do they even play anything that is not perfect? Why did I take 5 years to find this video? Who is cutting onions?

[@scottbaxter3413]

One of the most incredible performances I have ever seen on KZbin. Breathtaking.

[@timpage54]

I wish they'd left off the applause -- I'd rather be left with the music's residue.

[@saintwitz]

Searing. The agony and utter tragedy of the chaos and destruction of World War Two distilled into one of the moving pieces of music ever written. An exceptional performance in every sense.

[@matthieub9069]

I can't find words to describe my feelings after that outstanding performance. Thank you so much.

[@julieandrews730]

Started to look for NCO on YT and now comes this treasure! Only until 10 min in did I realize they're playing from memory. Well, bravo! This piece of music and the musicians left me just breathless. The group performing like one musician.

[@GinBomber]

I love the first viola!! And all the others! Great Performance!

[@GryphonWahle]

She is an absolute powerhouse violist and a total babe.

[@willsonpaul7]

This is the best version I've heard❤ thank you so much

[@matthewgroters6270]

From memory! BLAH that just blows my mind. Terrific ensemble and vibe.

[@SmeagolTheBeagle]

Jesus Christ that was a performance worthy of the end of the world. I can't imagine what Strauss was like as a person.

[@joachimsaxer4812]

In the Christian tradition there is this idea of a perfect human age = 30 or 33, defined by the death of Christ. What contributes a lot to this performance visually is the homogeneity of the musicians. No one looks super young, no one seems to be older than, say, 45. And they are beautiful, all of them. Due to their outfit, though it is black, they look like the redeemed souls in paintings of the Last Judgment. Except that sadness is still predominant. Being German, the Metamorphoses to me have always been about guilt and how to come to terms with it. I am very grateful for this performance.

[@Tweeteketje]

I think it is especially hard for the middle voices to play this from memory. If you have the melody it is a lot easier to memorise. But the concept is great, since the piece is for 23 soloists. I take my hat off!

[@ruperthiggins7358]

It is so full of melancholy and sadness. It stirs the heart. Strauss wrote this in the final years of WW2 in Germany. He was so depressed at seeing the destruction of his country, and this music reflects his agony. The piece has been seen as controversial, too-because was he also mourning the end of the 3rd Reich? The consensus, though, is that he was, in fact, mourning the loss of his country rather than Hitler. Beautiful if sadness can be beautiful.

[@MrAhiggs1]

This piece drives right to the heart of what it means to be human. It is a moving expression of civilised culture responding to war engendered by those with brutal instincts. A superb rendition. Thank you.

[@staffanolofsson8201]

I return to this performance now and then, never will I be tired of it! Its a magical and unbelieveable moment that goes on 26 minutes. I think I have listened 20-30 times on this, and I will never get bored. And all 23 are playing without notes! And isnt it Albinonis Adagio you can hear in the background?

[@janouglaeser8049]

Not Albinoni's Adagio, but Beethoven's Marcia Funebre from the Eroica Symphony :D

[@staffanolofsson8201]

@@janouglaeser8049 Yes Janou, now when you mention it, I can also hear that echo. Perhaps there are more echos of older music in this, written as a lamento at a time when the world seemed to have gone completely wrong, after World War 2.

[@janouglaeser8049]

@@staffanolofsson8201 In the case of the Eroica, the quotation becomes quite explicit at the end (listen to the double bass line at 24:15). In the sheet music Strauss wrote "in memoriam!" under that passage.

[@jamessnyder3850]

Beautiful. Very sonorous, incredibly natural. I cannot miss, either, the subtlety of the staging. The performers in black, the lighting below them casting spooky, irregular shadows, their instrument cases stacked behind them, with soft green and blue colored lights silhouetting the bags -- like luggage stacked in racks on a train car, packed normally and nonchalantly for a trip -- for one more trip that no one suspected would be their last. A brilliant visual metaphor for WWII and the music of the Metamorphosen itself.

[@timpage54]

Glorious! I've heard first-rate conductors who couldn't manage nearly so well-organized a performance of this beautiful work.

[@JThomasSon]

So beautiful. So heartbreaking. And so movingly expressed in performance. I've been familiar with Strauss generally for many years, but I'd never heard this piece. I'm missing a performance of the piece by my own Jacksonville Symphony this evening, so I thought I could at least listen to a recorded performance. I am moved to tears. Thank you for sharing it.

[@mashtali1]

this is my dream orchestra. I always thought about it, playing everything from memory... these are real musicians.

[@mashtali1]

@Nathan Rock thanks Nathan. some people need everything explained to them.

[@UnshavenStatue]

This is what it means for 23 people to share the same 23 brain cells for 23 straight minutes. The more I listen to this recording, and to other recordings of this piece, the more I appreciate just what you folks have accomplished. So insanely in synch, in some ways I think not having a conductor is a benefit for how skilled you guys are (and what I assume must have been 23 hundred hours of practice). This is truly chamber, not symphonic, as you have clearly demonstrated. Very well done, bar none.

[@joelat4674]

Great performance. I hope that they can afford shoes now.

[@ohraider]

Lol

[@sysmch]

Ha ha

[@staffanolofsson8201]

Yes, and notes! So they dont have to memorize this 26 minutes long stück all the 23 of them!

[@staffanolofsson8201]

The pianist Alice Sara Ott has been accused of playing barefoot. Here we have 23 pairs of naked feet. When comes the trial? If is is held in Norway, I think the jury will say; "All of you, take on a pair of walking-shoes and climb the highest mountain you can find. And all 23 will soon be at its top.

[@joachimsaxer4812]

It's not just the feet, they seem to come straight from their joint Pilates class. And it's the privilege of Herr Konzertmeister to wear a buttoned shirt. Be it as it may, for a human being, this is probably the closest you can come to the state of total, transcendental happiness: being part of this orchestra.

[@dafinchman]

One of the greatest performances of this i have ever seen. Memorized? Oh my gosh. Bravo bravo bravo!

[@dallasmckinley]

Outstanding. Richard Strauss would cry listening to you and remembering the hell of war and human tragedy. I pray we never need write music like this again. Thank you.

[@willcratch7815]

This is real, raw and emotional. These are real musicians who are worthy to walk in the realm of the Gods! Thank God for Richard ll.

[@dyolda]

What a beautiful performance, millions of thanks to you all from Istanbul/Turkey.

[@DBoudewijnAussems]

Very intens. Overwhelming. Pure Music.

[@graeme011]

No shoes, no sheet music, simple black clothing. Electric lighting, fortunately, although very limited (I would recommend phosphorescent funghi/rocks as a co$t $aving). The budget for this production must have been aby$mal. Yet, the results are sublime!

[@giancarlofilacchione7371]

Non ho avuto la fortuna di studiare Musica, ma ogni nota di questo brano è riuscita in breve tempo a penetrare la mia anima.

[@MrMichaelvier]

unbelievable beautiful....overwhelming....one of the masterpieces of all time from R. Strauss and a fantastic playing feeling orchestra , and no conductor needed cause they all know and play it with so much passion and love......thx for posting

[@robertmanno5749]

23 Virtuosos transcending mere music making and bringing it into an inexplicable realm. Just amazing. One can argue with the extreme fast tempi here and there (and the pushing of same by Tonnesen) but it is a thoroughly committed and magnificent performance of this very dark and difficult work.

[@staffanolofsson8201]

Another comment: The way the 23 string-players rely on each other is formidable, eyes and bodies and moves are more like in a play where there is no director but all turns out the best way. But of course Terje T. stands there, only one among the others.

[@dextermorgan5962]

the first violin and viola player(with more body gesture) act as conductor when there is no conductor.

[@Barpoint212]

What a marvelous, deeply felt reading. Beautifully lit and filmed as well. Thank you!

[@serrato0101]

"Al final de su vida Strauss, desenmarcándose de todo y de todos, compuso Metamorfosis, para 23 instrumentos de cuerda".

[@MrsSedley]

Simply incredible that you replaced it with Shostakovich's Eighth Quartet/Chamber Symphony at the Gothenburg Point Festival because G'bg's own orchestra had played Metamorphosen in the season. I still want to experience this live too, though. Deepest admiration and respect.

[@carolinamcygan]

Amazing! Love the set up and the effort of playing by heart! Bravi!!

[@hgrove9743]

Not just a superlative performance - but a game-changing one. I was brought up with the definition of this work as being an interpretation of sadness and (possibly) regret for the downfall of the Third Reich - which is a charge not levelled against Strauss and his vocal works. This, however, is such a joyous rendition, with moments of such elation, that I am consigning both that former interpretation, its writers, and even its performers, to a bonfire of Wagnerian proportions. I have enjoyed performances by such as 'Electric Phoenix' and the Kronos Quartet (in their florescent lycra jumpsuit days) and wonder why we don't have more free expression and new interpretations - because this has been a metamorphosis of my evaluation of this work. Thank you, Terje and fellow musicians.

[@jellosapiens7261]

Do people really say that??? In one of his journals, Strauss referred to Germany's time under the Nazis as a "twelve year reign of bestiality, ignorance and anti-culture under the greatest criminals." Hardly the words of a Nazi sympathizer

[@UnshavenStatue]

Considering he spent considerable money and political capital to smuggle dozens of jews out of the nazi regime, I think it's safe to say that he stood against the Third Reich. Anyone who claims otherwise is simply ignorant, or worse, malevolent. At any rate, I still think the "mourning" part works -- mourning for the Germany that had been before Hitler came along and ruined it -- but as the title suggests, even through the mourning Strauss had some fundamental hope for the future.

[@benmeisner-dr5bb]

@@UnshavenStatue Exactly! Thank You.

[@jimbo1066]

No words to describe what I have just heard. Incredible

[@alexklein6291]

This is simply stunning. I am beyond words to describe this incredible performance. Bravi!

[@jazzychazzy007]

It would be difficult to find a comparable group of musicians anywhere! Bravo!

[@bertcarter6176]

A stunning performance. Thanks.

[@mitsunoriogihara2496]

Very impressive. Played from memory and without a conductor. Great intonation.

[@SimonIsaCello]

This is literally one of the most beautiful pieces of music i have ever heard. The way the work together is amazing, so are the harmonies.

[@manuelmariacabelloizquierd9685]

Es como un viaje por un continuo clímax inconcluso. Una maravilla.

[@alisterwedderburn5334]

Overwhelming. One of the many, many praiseworthy aspects is the constant sense of forward movement. Wow!

[@romulo-mello]

This orchestra has an incredibly beautiful sonority

[@Paul49Giloi]

Truly beautiful. You guys are outstanding as I've come to expect.

[@ExxylcrothEagle]

great performance btw, thank you

[@giancarloonorato]

Una performance davvero molto intensa; è significativo e affascinante il feeling tra i musicisti, fatto di continui sguardi e muti rimandi. Sono completamente penetrati dalla musica che stanno eseguendo; è come se l'avessero scritta loro e scaturisse in quel momento dal loro incontro; bellissimo il fatto che non utilizzano lo spartito. Così dovrebbe sempre suonare un ensemble, un'orchestra.

[@j.street178]

Sublime performance. the light in the background works great as well

[@UnshavenStatue]

In the year since discovering this, I don't even remember how, I've listened to this -- this recording specifically -- at *least* a hundred times (more than once every third day for the whole year). Will I ever get tired of it? Survey says, not yet!

[@giuseppeventrella2996]

It's a absolute miracle this music by Richard Strauss.

[@lolamagnanini6653]

always present in richard strauss:priority to heart accompanied by a rigorous rational principle

[@antoonnn]

A alguien más se lo hicieron escuchar en el colegio?🤨🍷

[@staffanolofsson8201]

The most intense, emotional and at the same time logical after-romantic music. All musicians are playing in the dark, without notes, as a huge number of "hattifnattar" (have you read Tove Janssons books about the Mumintroll?) and they are doing it so extremely well, electrical connected to the pulse and the inspiration of Richard Strauss and his use of taking it over and over again. Yes, we hear a little bit of Albinonis Adagio all the time. And in this case it works out very well. Im impressed by the musicianship! Out there in the electrical dark.

[@jimbo1066]

I will google the mumintroll right now, I have to confess I have not read those books. I hope they are available in English

[@staffanolofsson8201]

@@jimbo1066 Yes they are. Search for Tove Jansson, the finnish author. She wrote many books about the "mumintrolls" , books for young people, but it is first when you get old they reveal all their complexity. Good luck!

[@MsAnnaviola]

Che Meraviglia ❤️🌻

[@guyelgat5893]

Note the Anselm Kiefer piece in the background.

[@christinebeckett5511]

By heart. By love. Jaw-droppingly exquisite.

[@ilpdrgyj6886]

They don't use musicsheets! unbelievable....

[@lucianovalle7178]

Bravi! A great master performance! I see you have so fully studied and understood this wonderful music to be able to renounce at a director and even at the music scores! As "Quartetto Italiano" did at their time...

[@josuekoenig1723]

The last cadence is so chilling and haunting

[@ExxylcrothEagle]

no one captured the pain and yearning and solace better. The spirit triumphs. RIP everyone, maybe even the super "evil" ones

[@ericoschmitt]

I’m not crying, you are crying. Who the hell is cutting onions?

[@chaimkapusta8013]

Absolutely amazing performance! so emotional!

[@dextermorgan5962]

already saved in my computer.

[@TenorCantusFirmus]

Probably the last Piece in the History of "Classical" Music to have ties with what was happening around (Strauss wrote it as a musical commentary of nazist, fascist and bolshevist totalitarianisms and the just finished two World Wars, which he saw as the suicide of Europe). Since then, this dimension has unfortunately been lost, composers have something like closed themselves into a "ghetto", which is unfortunate, because being a truly critical voice should be the first aim for any artist.

[@MendozaD.OmMexico]

And For me its the farewell of postromanticist

[@rink5870]

Holy shit the cellist to the far right i’ve met him at the first live classical music performance i ever went to literally a few months ago!

[@kaloarepo288]

Now I know where the inspiration for Giazotto's ALBINONI ADAGIO came from -the tune occurs at the very beginning of this piece.

[@johnnyecho]

Well, and Albanoni, who wrote the Adagio...

[@Ennah08]

@@johnnyecho It's a strange story, but it looks like Albinoni did NOT write the piece we all know as 'Albinoni Adagio' ... Giazotto did ...

[@johnnyecho]

@@Ennah08 - Oh, I didn’t know! Also, of course I would love to hear the piece interpreted as a baroque composition - not some ultra romantic string centric goop. Before I go look it up, I suppose Giazotto is from the 19th century…

[@Ennah08]

@@johnnyecho 1945 they say! I like Albinoni a lot, when played in proper baroque style :)

[@johnnyecho]

@@Ennah08 - wow, 1945! That explains a lot!!

[@jimster24]

Outstanding!

[@Bartokfriend]

Larry would have loved this. (But maybe not suitable for this occasion.) 27 min of intensity and beauty in a unique performance.

[@gruneeiche]

c'è tutta la mia vita qui dentro

[@coreylascaris5277]

Koning Marke, Eroica...no waltzes, just Ruhe, Ruhe...What excellent playing. Grazie.

[@profmolo1901]

Of the 170k this video has got, I think I am accountable for 1k of them. I just can't get enough of it. This is absolutely the best of a musical performance.

[@GryphonWahle]

I'm at least accountable for 1k views myself, and a conservative estimate of another 200 for people I've shared it with. It never gets old, and only gets better and more impressive with each Earth-shattering viewing.

[@ΕΛΕΝΗΜΑΚΡΙΔΗ]

[@ocbalves]

Bravíssimo ! If music is the language of gods the orchestra musicians have proved to understand it.

[@maximilianomangold5126]

Excelente. Por momentos muy triste.

[@francescramon7090]

Molt intens. Música pura

[@mariopluasfernandez1925]

The best version in the history

[@michaelbialobroda]

From Memory! 😱 stunning !

[@raoul2u]

How moving!

[@diwiri]

Unbelievable. I am speechless.

[@shelsynews4967]

Es hermoso... solo diré eso.

[@RedRatTheRed]

Strauss is truly only second to Satie

[@cjohnson1244]

Play this at my funeral

[@ohraider]

For sure!

[@erin79]

What an absolutely phenomenal performance of this. It's one of my very favorite pieces of music ever, but there is such a frantic kind of energy to this version. Brilliant.

[@EASYTIGER10]

12:30 1st Viola "Here goes..."

[@evanalexischrist8088]

This is such incredible musicianship! Congratulations! Your dedication pays off! Thank you for the inspiration! PS. I LOVE the perfectly played "wrong notes" in bar 474!

[@staffanolofsson8201]

Anselm Kiefers work of art in the background gives certain associations; forgotten archives, forgotten people, forgotten history.

[@lessismore4470]

Strauss at his best

[@d3m3try-c7s]

люблю эту музыку изумительное исполнение

[@nicolascoxon8564]

Stunning music and performance, but some took the 'solo' elements to flamboyant heights....

[@0reason2exist]

No wonder lots of people here praise this performance. Incredible and heartful playing by the masters. Best interpretation to me, too.

[@anthonyclayden7717]

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous string tone. Organic, like breathing in and out. Bravo!

[@staffanolofsson8201]

I´ll try to translate what I said in swedish, earlier. Short: words is not enough, sometimes they mislead, or get us to think: Well, this is "breathtaking", so they say. Sometimes they diminish, and we remember the words, not the music. Breathtaking. In this case I will say that it is better to be speechless, not say a single word, or think, just listen, as I have done several times. And if I say that this is breathtaking, you should not mark words, just listen. Thanks.

[@stephenestall9044]

Simply wonderful!