Don Quixote, Till Eulensphiegel : Stenz / Gurzenich Orchestra, Gerhardt(Vc)L.Power(Va)

Strauss's tone poem Don Quixote, subtitled Fantastic variations on a theme of knightly character, is one of the composer's most popular works, principally because of the beautifully drawn central characters of the Don (performed by a solo cellist) and Sancho Panza (performed by a solo violist). These complex roles are luxuriously portrayed in this new recording by Hyperion artists Alban Gerhardt and Lawrence Power. The merry tale of Till Eulenspiegel completes the program, which features The Gurzenich-Orchester Koln - the very orchestra that gave the premieres of both works in the 1890s - conducted by Markus Stenz, who has held the position of Principal Conductor since 2003.