Abstract:
This paper intends to examine the historical and musical elements of Richard
Strauss’ Suite in Bb, Op. 4 for thirteen wind instruments. This work tends to be eclipsed
by the earlier and more popular cornerstone of the wind ensemble literature, the Serenade
in Eb, Op.7. It is argued that both pieces were pivotal in establishing the career of a
young Richard Strauss. The Serenade spawned the creation of the Suite, which in turn
started both the conducting career of Strauss as well as his compositional career on a
larger stage. Examined in this paper will be the historical significance of the Suite in Bb
as well as its musical, structural, thematic, and motivic characteristics. Conducting
considerations relating to the work’s musical elements will also be explored.
