Richard Strauss - An Alpine Symphony; Metamorphosen (Edward Gardner)

Information

Composer: Richard Strauss

• Eine Alpensinfonie
• Metamorphosen

London Philharmonic Orchestra

Edward Gardner, conductor

Date: 2026

Label: London Philharmonic Orchestra

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Recorded live at the Royal Festival Hall, this album captures the exceptional artistic partnership between the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Principal Conductor Edward Gardner through two contrasting works by Richard Strauss. In An Alpine Symphony, the orchestra utilizes its full forces to deliver a vivid, cinematic musical journey, bringing immense scale and dramatic impact to Strauss’s vast sonic landscape. Conversely, Metamorphosen utilizes just 23 solo strings, shifting the spotlight to the orchestra’s distinguished individual players. This performance showcases the ensemble's refinement, balance, and profound expressive quality, beautifully highlighting the London Philharmonic Orchestra at its most intimate.

Edward Gardner (b. 1974) is a distinguished English conductor known for his versatility and leadership across opera and symphonic repertoire. Trained at the Royal Academy of Music, he launched his career as a choral conductor and repetiteur before becoming music director of Glyndebourne on Tour (2004–07). He later served as music director of English National Opera (2007–15) and principal guest conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (2010–16). Since 2013, he has been principal guest conductor of the Bergen Philharmonic, and in 2021 he became principal conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. He will assume the role of music director at the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet in 2024.