A Hero’s Life

We’re all the heroes of our own lives. Strauss’ contemporaries couldn’t see the funny side of Ein Heldenleben (A Hero’s Life): a riotously tuneful self-portrait of the artist as superhero, written for a colossal orchestra and featuring some of the most stupendous sounds ever imagined. The great Sir Mark Elder brings all his matchless flair for musical storytelling to a concert that opens in the shimmering wonderland of Ravel’s fairytale ballet, and stars Canadian virtuoso James Ehnes in the underrated sequel to Bruch’s ever-popular First Violin Concerto. It’s almost never heard – and it’s a delight.