Richard Strauss is considered to be both the last ‘Classical’ composer and a champion of modernity. His wide-ranging output stands as a monument to one of the most successful and influential composers of the 20th century. His spirited and compact First Horn Concerto was the product of his teenage years, while the Second Horn Concerto came six decades later, echoing the expressively lyrical and dynamic character of its youthful predecessor. Both of these concertos share the chamber orchestra character of the Four Last Songs in its arrangement by Eberhard Kloke. The Andante in C major and Alphorn in E flat major, originally composed with piano accompaniment, are heard here in arrangements for chamber orchestra by Lars Opfermann.

Christoph Eß is considered one of the leading horn players of his generation. As well as being principal horn player with the Bamberg Symphony, he has won prizes in numerous international competitions, including the Klassikfestival Ruhr, the ARD International Music Competition in Munich and the Richard Strauss Competition. He is also in demand both as a soloist and as a chamber musician.