Franz Strauss

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Franz Strauss (February 26, 1822–May 31, 1905), is perhaps most famous for being the father of the well-known composer Richard Strauss. He was himself an accomplished musician and composer, playing the guitar and clarinet, among other instruments.

Strauss is remembered most often today as a horn player. However, he was not just any horn player of the day. For almost fifty years he was principal horn of the Munich Court Orchestra. This orchestra premiered many of Richard Wagner's great works. Strauss himself performed in the premieres of Tristan und Isolde, Das Rheingold, Die Walküre and surely many more. Strauss however intensely disliked the works of Wagner and did not get along well with the composer. Wagner, speaking of Strauss, said, "Strauss is an unbearable, curmudgeonly fellow, but when he plays his horn one can say nothing, for it is so beautiful."

As a composer, Franz Strauss is remembered mostly for the pieces he wrote for the horn. These include two concerti and numerous smaller works. Undoubtedly his son Richard was influenced by hearing one of the great horn players of the time in his own home growing up.