The classical music industry’s proclivity for size is impressive. Strauss is a case in point. Andris Nelsons’ new release on Deutsche Grammophon features the conductor leading the Boston Symphony and Leipzig Gewandhaus in an eight-hour and 32-minute marathon of works by Richard Strauss. Featured soloists include cellist Yo-Yo Ma and pianist Yuja Wang. Absorbing the vast expanse provided me with considerable time to attempt to figure out how a single composer can be responsible for the worst sorts of classical schmaltz, jarring moments of jarring avant-garde noise and futuristic litanies. I hope to one day fully understand Strauss’ fantastic achievement.
