Thematic Paper

Richard Strauss’s Suite in B–flat, Op.4 is one of the most significant works in the literature for winds in the late nineteenth century as it is a composition for winds with a late Romantic idiom and also demonstrates early Strauss’s compositional technique which will later develop into his mature symphonic works. The author chose this piece as a part of his graduate recital because of its suitability for performance by both students and professional ensembles. Although this piece has been studied by a number of researchers, the research regarding the specific issue of rehearsing and conducting the piece is quite limited, thus leading the author to realize that it deserves broader attention.