"On this the second of four projected discs for BIS, the Rotterdam Philharmonic here perform two of Richard Strauss' most popular works: The tone poem Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life) has often been described as an autobiographical work. The six interwoven sections describe themes of hope, love and courage, with a scherzo that mocks the hero's enemies and a final climax that sees the hero withdraw from the world fulfilled."