Don Quixote: Fantastic Variations for Cello and Orchestra, op. 35, TrV184
Don Quixote, Op. 35 is a tone poem by Richard Strauss for cello, viola, and orchestra. Subtitled Phantastische Variationen über ein Thema ritterlichen Charakters (Fantastic Variations on a Theme of Knightly Character), the work is based on the novel Don Quixote de la Mancha by Miguel de Cervantes. Strauss composed this work in Munich in 1897. The premiere took place in Cologne on 8 March 1898, with Friedrich Grützmacher as the cello soloist and Franz Wüllner as the conductor.
Movements
- op. 35: I. Introduction
- op. 35: II. Theme and Variations: op. 35: Thema: Mäßig. "Don Quichotte, der Ritter von der traurigen Gestalt"
- op. 35: II. Theme and Variations: op. 35: Maggiore. Sancho Panza
- op. 35: II. Theme and Variations: op. 35: Variation I: Departure. The Adventure of the Windmills
- op. 35: II. Theme and Variations: op. 35: Variation II: The Battle With the Sheep
- op. 35: II. Theme and Variations: op. 35: Variation III: Sancho's Wishes, Peculiarities of Speech and Maxims
- op. 35: II. Theme and Variations: op. 35: Variation IV: The Adventure With the Procession of Penitents
- op. 35: II. Theme and Variations: op. 35: Variation V: Don Quixote's Vigil During the Summer Night
- op. 35: II. Theme and Variations: op. 35: Variation VI: Dulcinea
- op. 35: II. Theme and Variations: op. 35: Variation VII: Don Quixote's Ride Through the Air
- op. 35: II. Theme and Variations: op. 35: Variation VIII: The Trip on the Enchanted Boat
- op. 35: II. Theme and Variations: op. 35: Variation IX: The Attack on the Mendicant Friars
- op. 35: II. Theme and Variations: op. 35: Variation X: The Duel and Return Home
- op. 35: III. Epilogue: Don Quixote's Mind Clears. Death of Don Quixote
Recommended recordings
- Mstislav Rostropovich · Berliner Philharmoniker · Herbert von Karajan YouTubeSpotify (subscription)
- Pierre Fournier · Cleveland Orchestra · George Szell YouTubeSpotify (subscription)