# Richard Strauss, cello excerpts

3 annotated excerpts; 2 on audition lists.

Late-Romantic

- [Strauss: Don Juan, opening](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/strauss-don-juan), The most-asked orchestra audition excerpt for cello, a heroic, virtuoso opening that demands speed, precision, and bravura. Audition; Late-Romantic; Tenor clef. Standard audition excerpt.
- [Strauss: Death and Transfiguration, apotheosis](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/strauss-death-transfig), The transcendent C major apotheosis, cellos sing the transfiguration theme over shimmering strings. Intermediate; Late-Romantic; Tenor clef.
- [Strauss: Ein Heldenleben, hero theme](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/strauss-heldenleben), The hero's grand, expansive theme. Cellos and horns surge upward over three octaves. Audition; Late-Romantic; Tenor clef. Standard audition excerpt.

Canonical source: https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/composer/strauss