Pre-Order: Richard Strauss: A Hero's Life [CD]

A tone poem is a single-movement orchestral piece meant to evoke moods, stories, or scenes without a strict narrative. Richard Strauss composed 'Don Juan' and 'Ein Heldenleben', both inspired by personal and literary themes.

• Critics debated whether Strauss's self-portrait in 'Ein Heldenleben' was seen as arrogant or humorous.