Commissioned by a soldier
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Richard Strauss: 15 facts about the great composer
13. Commissioned by a soldier
An American oboist John de Lancie - who knew Strauss's orchestral writing for oboe - was in the American army unit that secured the area round Strauss's home in April 1945. De Lancie asked Strauss to write an oboe concerto. Initially dismissive of the idea, the composer completed this late work before the end of the year.
