# Strauss, Tod und Verklärung, Op. 24

The transcendent C major apotheosis, cellos sing the transfiguration theme over shimmering strings.

## About the excerpt

- **Composer:** Richard Strauss

- **Work:** Tod und Verklärung, Op. 24

- **Movement:** Closing C major apotheosis

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

- **Composed:** 1889

- **Key:** C

- **Metre:** 4/4

- **Tempo:** Moderato approximately 60 BPM

- **Clef:** Tenor clef

- **Difficulty:** Intermediate

- **Audition list:** Not a standard excerpt

## Style

Eternal, transfigured. Whole bow, vibrato wide and slow.

## Techniques

tone-poem, lyrical, tenor-clef

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/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: 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.
- [Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6, I, second theme](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/tchaik-6-i), The famous lyrical second theme, soaring, heart-on-sleeve. Cello section in unison. Intermediate; Late-Romantic; Bass clef. Standard audition excerpt.
- [Tchaikovsky: Romeo & Juliet, love theme](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/tchaik-romeo-love), The most famous love theme in classical music. Cellos take the soaring line. Intermediate; Late-Romantic; Tenor clef.
- [Mahler: Symphony No. 1, I, cello melody](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/mahler-1-i), The "Wayfarer" theme stated in the cellos, naïve, folk-like, pure. Intermediate; Late-Romantic; Tenor clef.
- [Wagner: Tristan, Prelude opening](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/wagner-tristan-prelude), The most famous opening in Romantic music. Cellos rise to F, then the legendary "Tristan chord" hangs. Intermediate; Late-Romantic; Bass clef. Standard audition excerpt.

Canonical source: https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/strauss-death-transfig