# Strauss, Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40

The extended concertmaster solo depicting the hero’s companion. Standard at concertmaster auditions and a test of characterisation as much as technique.

## About the excerpt

- **Composer:** Richard Strauss

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

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

- **Composed:** 1898

- **Clef:** Treble clef

- **Difficulty:** Audition

- **Audition list:** Standard excerpt

## Bowing

Wide dynamic range across the solo, from delicate to full. Contact point should move with the dynamic rather than pressure alone.

## Where it goes wrong

Rhythmic freedom is written in, but it still has to be coordinated with an orchestra. Rubato that no conductor could follow reads as unsteadiness.

## Style

The solo changes character constantly, Strauss marks it obsessively. Following those markings is the point of the excerpt.

## Techniques

tone-poem, audition, solo, concertmaster

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/violin/strauss-don-juan-opening), The most requested violin excerpt in the orchestral repertoire. A headlong ascending gesture that has to sound both brilliant and completely controlled from the first note. Audition; Late-Romantic; Treble clef. Standard audition excerpt.

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