Ein Heldenleben, Burleske : Antonio Pappano / St Cecilia Academic Orchestra, Bertrand Chamayou(P)

Antonio Pappano conducts Romes Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in two works from the earlier phase of Richard Strausss career: a comparative rarity, the mercurial, virtuosic Burleske for piano and orchestra, with Bertrand Chamayou as soloist, and the epic autobiographical tone poem Ein Heldenleben, one of the composers orchestral masterpieces. Strauss always thought dramaturgically, says Pappano. Recording this music in Italy, the link has to be through opera, with all its theatricality, temperament, contrast and colour You need a certain charisma in the sound, which these players achieve.