In this comprehensive biography, Herbert Francis Peyser provides a detailed account of the life and work of one of the most influential composers of the late Romantic era, Richard Strauss. From his early days as a prodigious talent to his rise to fame as the composer of iconic works such as "Also sprach Zarathustra" and "Der Rosenkavalier," Peyser expertly explores the various stages of Strauss's career.

Through extensive research and analysis, Peyser delves into Strauss's personal and professional struggles, shedding light on the complexities of his relationships with family, friends, and colleagues. The author presents a balanced portrayal of Strauss, highlighting both his artistic genius and his flaws as a human being.

One of the strengths of this biography is Peyser's ability to contextualize Strauss's music within the broader cultural and political landscape of his time. By examining the impact of historical events such as World War I and the rise of Nazism on Strauss's life and work, Peyser offers readers a deeper understanding of the composer's creative process and motivations.

Overall, Richard Strauss by Herbert Francis Peyser is a must-read for classical music enthusiasts and anyone interested in the life of a musical genius. Peyser's thorough research and engaging writing style make this biography a valuable resource for anyone looking to gain insight into the life and legacy of Richard Strauss.

Book Description:
There was not much truly spectacular about the course of [Strauss's] life, which was most happily free from the material troubles which bedeviled the existence of so many great masters... If “Salome” and “Elektra”, “Ein Heldenleben” and “Till Eulenspiegel” were in their day scandalously “sensational” did not the whirligig of time reveal them as incontestable products of genius, irrespective of inequalities and flaws? However Richard Strauss compares in the last analysis with this or that master he contributed to the language of music idioms, procedures and technical accomplishments typical of the confused years and conflicting ideals out of which they were born. His works are most decidedly of an age, whether or not they are for all time! From Author's Foreword.