Richard Strauss: Late Writings. Edition and Comment

• Applicant: Dr. Jürgen May
• Subject Area: Musicology
• Term: from 2013 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 233426086

During the 1930s and 1940s, Richard Strauss filled 16 notebooks with memoir-like entries. The writings include autobiographical notes as well as reflections on the European history of culture and music and on the tide of events; remarks on the impact of politics (Nazism, 2nd World War) on western culture can be found along with considerations about the future of music in post-war Germany and Europe. Strauss's writings give extraordinary insights not only into history of music and culture during his lifetime, but also reveal the philosophical, intellectual and cultural conditioning of one of the outstanding German artists in a period stretching from late 19th century until the middle of the 20th century. Moreover, the writings are essential sources for biographical research about Strauss. For the first time, the writings will be published in a critical and commented edition. The edition will be provided with detailed indexes. It will be printed as book, to which a data medium may be added.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Participating Persons: Professor Dr. Walter Werbeck; Dr. Christian Wolf