Beethoven and Strauss

"The Domestic Symphony" - that's exactly what the title "Sinfonia domestica" means, and Richard Strauss delivers on it! There is a striking melody for the wife, an equally memorable one for her husband, and even their child - charmingly played by the oboe d'amore - has their own appearances. And what happens? Essentially, Strauss has composed a musical family soap opera with visits from relatives, the child's crying, arguments between the spouses, and reconciliation including a love scene. Then everyone falls asleep, and when the alarm clock rings at seven in the morning, everything leads to a cheerful family finale. On the other hand, Beethoven's Violin Concerto is a more classical piece, one of the most popular works for this instrument. With the striking timpani motif at the beginning, the delicacy of the second movement, and the hunting theme in the finale, it has become ingrained in the ears of its audience.