Des Moines Symphony Orchestra: Alpine Symphony

Richard Strauss's Alpine Symphony stands as one of the most ambitious and vivid orchestral works ever composed, a musical journey that traces a climber's ascent and descent of a mountain in real time. Written in 1915, this tone poem represents the culmination of Strauss's mastery of orchestral color and programmatic storytelling. The work requires an enormous orchestra, including specialized instruments like wind machines and thunder sheets, creating an immersive sonic landscape that captures everything from sunrise to storm to the peaceful return to the valley.

Expect a thrilling 50-minute musical adventure that unfolds without intermission, taking you through distinct episodes of the mountain expedition. The Des Moines Symphony will paint vivid scenes of rushing waterfalls, pastoral meadows, dangerous storms, and triumphant summit views through Strauss's ingenious orchestration. This is grand-scale orchestral music at its most spectacular, perfect for both classical music devotees and newcomers who want to experience the full power of a symphony orchestra. The work's accessibility and dramatic narrative make it an ideal gateway to appreciating how classical music can tell stories and evoke specific imagery.

The Des Moines Civic Center provides an elegant setting for this musical mountain climb, with its excellent acoustics ensuring every orchestral detail comes through clearly. As the home venue for the Des Moines Symphony, the hall has been carefully designed to showcase the full dynamic range and timbral richness that Strauss's score demands. The intimate scale of the venue means you'll feel fully immersed in the orchestral soundscape, whether you're seated close to the action or taking in the broader perspective from the balcony.

Browse the available dates on CultureTicks to secure your spot for this extraordinary orchestral journey through the Alps.