Most pompously egotistical work in all symphonic music is Richard Strauss's Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life). It not only brassily depicts its hero besting his detractors, but, by quoting snatches from Don Juan, Don Quixote, Death and Transfiguration, etc., announces that the hero is Herr Strauss himself. On sale last fortnight in Manhattan shops was a new recording of Ein Heldenleben, by Artur Rodzinski and the Cleveland Orchestra (Columbia: 10 sides; $5.50). It was well recorded but not the best ever (most sweeping performance is Victor's 1928 version, by Willem Mengelberg). What made news about Rodzinski's Heldenleben was the program leaflet...
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