From Italy

Richard Strauss's symphonic fantasy "From Italy" was composed in 1886 following an inspiring Italian journey by the young composer and marks an important turning point in his creative output. The work shows Strauss at the transition from late Romantic tradition to programmatic tone poetry that would characterize his later masterpieces. The four movements follow the stages of his journey and already reveal the composer's characteristic ability to transform extra-musical impressions into brilliant musical tableaux.

The score breathes the spirit of German late Romanticism but already displays that orchestral refinement that would later make Strauss a master of instrumentation. Particularly in the final movement "Neapolitan Folk Life," the composer experiments with folk musical elements and harmonies that were daring by contemporary standards and are said to have initially caused confusion among audiences.

"From Italy" is considered Strauss's first significant orchestral composition and already exhibits all the hallmarks of his mature musical language: sumptuous orchestration, melodic inventiveness, and the gift for depicting moods and atmospheres with extraordinary vividness.