# Strauss, Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40

Fast, wide-ranging low string writing that crosses the whole instrument. One of the hardest excerpts on the standard list.

## About the excerpt

- **Composer:** Richard Strauss

- **Work:** Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40

- **Era:** Late-Romantic (c. 1880–1910)

- **Composed:** 1898

- **Clef:** Bass clef

- **Difficulty:** Audition

- **Audition list:** Standard excerpt

## Bowing

Strauss writes it heroically; the sound must stay full even in the fastest passagework.

## Where it goes wrong

The range covered forces constant position changes, including into thumb position. Map the shifts before working on tempo.

Clarity at speed on the bass depends on the left hand arriving early. Practise the left hand silently, without the bow.

## Techniques

tone-poem, audition, fast, range

This public reference contains work information and original practice notes. It does not publish the excerpt notation or grant permission to copy a score. Score access and rights depend on the edition and jurisdiction.

## Related excerpts

- [Strauss: Don Juan, opening](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/bass/strauss-don-juan-bass), The low string part of the opening gesture, fast, wide, and requiring the section to match the upper strings exactly. Audition; Late-Romantic; Bass clef. Standard audition excerpt.
- [Mahler: Symphony No. 1, III, bass solo](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/bass/mahler-1-iii-bass-solo), The unaccompanied solo bass statement of Frère Jacques in the minor. The most famous solo in the orchestral bass repertoire, and completely exposed. Audition; Late-Romantic; Bass clef. Standard audition excerpt.
- [Mahler: Symphony No. 2, I, opening](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/bass/mahler-2-i-bass), The tremolo-driven low string opening. Aggressive, rhythmically exact, and demanding a large sound without loss of definition. Audition; Late-Romantic; Bass clef. Standard audition excerpt.
- [Verdi: Otello, Act IV double bass passage](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/bass/verdi-otello-bass), The unaccompanied low string writing before Otello’s entrance in the final act. A standard opera-audition excerpt and completely exposed. Audition; Late-Romantic; Bass clef. Standard audition excerpt.

Canonical source: https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/bass/strauss-heldenleben-bass