Death and Transfiguration (Tod und Verklärung), Op. 24, is a symphonic poem composed by Richard Strauss between 1888 and 1889 and premiered in 1890. It portrays the final moments of an artist on his deathbed, reflecting on his life’s struggles and aspirations before ultimately transcending into the afterlife. The piece follows a narrative arc, moving from pain and turmoil to nostalgia and, finally, a luminous vision of transfiguration.

Strauss’s orchestration vividly conveys the emotional depth of the work. The introduction features slow, irregular heartbeats in the lower strings, symbolizing the protagonist’s weakening pulse. Dramatic and agitated passages represent life’s struggles, while tender, lyrical themes evoke memories of past ambitions. The climax arrives with a radiant, sweeping motif, capturing the soul’s final ascent into serenity and fulfillment.

A deeply introspective work,this 2025 Revised Edition explores the contrast between earthly suffering and spiritual redemption. Its lush orchestration and profound emotional arc have made it one of Strauss’s most celebrated tone poems, admired for its evocative storytelling and orchestral mastery.