A muscle-bound hero, his determined adversary, his faithful partner, deeds of peace and finally his «retreat from the world and consummation» form the subject-matter of Richard Strauss’s 1898 work, portrayed in imposing musical gestures, leitmotifs pregnant with meaning and the composer’s typical richness of tone colour. It is often supposed that the Symphonic Poem «Ein Heldenleben» (A Hero’s Life) represents an egomaniacal self-portrait of the composer, but this is a highly questionable assumption, given that its author told Romain Rolland «I am no hero. I lack the strength.» Christian Tetzlaff will display all his vigour, on the other hand, when he interprets Mendelssohn’s virtuosic Violin Concerto. Finally, Yutaka Sado will conduct Haydn’s «Le Soir» Symphony as the sun sets on his first season as Principal Conductor.